/ greɪs; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
OF MOVEMENT
1.
[ U ] an attractive quality of movement that is smooth, elegant and controlled :
She moves with the natural grace of a ballerina.
BEHAVIOUR
2.
[ U ] a quality of behaviour that is polite and pleasant and deserves respect :
He conducted himself with grace and dignity throughout the trial.
3.
graces [ pl. ] ( especially BrE ) ways of behaving that people think are polite and acceptable :
He was not particularly well versed in the social graces .
EXTRA TIME
4.
[ U ] extra time that is given to sb to enable them to pay a bill, finish a piece of work, etc. :
They've given me a month's grace to get the money.
OF GOD
5.
[ U ] the kindness that God shows towards the human race :
It was only by the grace of God that they survived.
PRAYER
6.
[ U , C ] a short prayer that is usually said before a meal to thank God for the food :
Let's say grace .
TITLE
7.
His / Her / Your Grace [ C ] used as a title of respect when talking to or about an archbishop , a duke or a duchess :
Good Morning, Your Grace.
Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Kent.
—see also coup de grâce , saving grace
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IDIOMS
- be in sb's good graces
- fall from grace
- sb's fall from grace
- have the (good) grace to do sth
- there but for the grace of God (go I)
- with (a) bad grace
- with (a) good grace
—more at air noun , state noun , year
■ verb [ vn ] ( formal )
1.
to make sth more attractive; to decorate sth :
The table had once graced a duke's drawing room.
2.
grace sb/sth (with sth) (usually ironic ) to bring honour to sb/sth; to be kind enough to attend or take part in sth :
She is one of the finest players ever to have graced the game.
Will you be gracing us with your presence tonight?
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin gratia , from gratus pleasing, thankful; related to grateful .