n.
Pronunciation: ' gr ō s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English grosse, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French gros large, thick, whole, from Late Latin grossus coarse
Date: 14th century
1 a archaic : immediately obvious b (1) : glaringly noticeable usually because of inexcusable badness or objectionableness <a gross error> (2) : OUT-AND-OUT , UTTER <a gross injustice> c : visible without the aid of a microscope
2 a : BIG , BULKY especially : excessively fat b : growing or spreading with excessive luxuriance
3 a : of, relating to, or dealing with general aspects or broad distinctions b : consisting of an overall total exclusive of deductions < gross income> ― compare NET
4 : made up of material or perceptible elements
5 archaic : not fastidious in taste : UNDISCRIMINATING
6 a : coarse in nature or behavior : UNREFINED b : gravely deficient in civility or decency : crudely vulgar <merely gross , a scatological rather than a pornographic impropriety ― Aldous Huxley> c : inspiring disgust or distaste <that sandwich looks gross >
7 : deficient in knowledge : IGNORANT , UNTUTORED
synonyms see COARSE , FLAGRANT
– gross · ly adverb
– gross · ness noun