I. ˈgrand, -aa(ə)nd adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin grandis large, full-grown, old, great, grand; perhaps akin to Greek brenthos pride, brenthyesthai to act proudly, swell up with pride, Old Slavic grǫdĭ breast; basic meaning: swelling
1.
a. obsolete : eminent or memorable in position or scale of operation : famous
b. : having more importance than others : preeminent , foremost , chief
remarking that death was the grand mystery of all time
c. : having higher rank or more official dignity than others bearing the same general designation — used with titles indicating office, rank, or standing
a grand master
a grand champion
a grand duke
also : having the highest or supreme rank of all the nation — used in the titles of sovereigns
2.
a. : inclusive , comprehensive
the grand total of all money paid out over the period
three independent services, coordinated only to the extent necessary to have uniformity in grand policy — T.K.Finletter
b. : definitive , incontrovertible
the Bible is the grand proof in English that in the greatest writing literary beauty is not a main object but a by-product — Douglas Bush
3. : main , principal
the grand staircase leading up from the large front hallway
the grand ballroom
to make expressive of the form within, of its volume and movement, this was the painter's grand preoccupation — Laurence Binyon
4.
a. : of large size, extent, value, or consequence : great
a grand mistake
a grand imposture
b. : large in scope, grasp, or interest
some grand but impractical ideas about how to make money
a grand bringing together of a thousand details to make a clear and interesting lecture
a grand adventure among pirates and desperadoes
c. : being of a size or grade that confers distinction
the grand structure of the hippodrome
a grand chorus
5.
a. : marked by great magnificence, display, ceremoniousness, or formality : sumptuous , gorgeous
a grand celebration in honor of the king's birthday
a grand exhibition of fireworks
also : marked by a regal form and dignity
the grand manner of royalty descending from a coach — American Guide Series: California
b. : fine or imposing in appearance or impression : impressive because of physical, moral, or intellectual greatness : illustrious , stately , noble
the grand figure of the duchess at the head of the table
the grand totality of the author's literary output
: majestic , splendid , magnificent
a grand regal ceremony
made a grand appearance in silk dress and jeweled tiara
the worn, homely face, grand in its utter simplicity — L.M.Angus-Butterworth
: lofty , sublime
writing in the grand style
an epic poem around a grand conception of heaven and hell
c. : pretending to or claiming social superiority : supercilious
you were much too grand to speak to us — Archibald Marshall
d. : designed to impress — used of actions
a man given to grand gestures and pretentious statements
6. : very good : fine , wonderful
got up in the morning feeling grand
had a grand time at the picnic
: admirable
a grand old man
7. : of or relating to a grand lodge
Synonyms:
magnificent , imposing , stately , majestic , august , noble , grandiose : grand may apply to any sort of impressive greatness, ampleness, handsomeness, rank, dignity, or preeminence
grand amid the hall floor was the Goth king in his gear — William Morris
the grandest passages in the Bible — A.L.Guérard
at the piano her mood exalted patriotism, uplifted in spirit by that grand song — Winston Churchill
the great cathedral seemed so grand when one was all alone there with the music rolling away down the nave — J.R.Green
magnificent may apply to a most extreme and impressive scope, sumptuousness, splendor, stateliness, munificence, or handsomeness without loss of dignity or taste
how magnificent was the sight of the royal escort, the brilliant uniforms of the troops, the marching bands — Edith Sitwell
the magnificent marble town house, celebrated as a world's wonder, even in that age and country, in which so much splendor was lavished on municipal palaces — J.L.Motley
perhaps the most magnificent manifestation of poetic mysticism is the last canto — G.G.Coulton
imposing may describe what is impressive through commanding size, dignity, or magnificence
she came in, like a ship in full sail, an imposing creature, tall and stout, with an ample bust and an obesity girthed in — W.S.Maugham
an imposing neoclassic structure in the form of a Greek cross with a Corinthian entrance portico — American Guide Series: Maryland
an imposing appearance, with vast blocks or boulders of granite, sparkling with mica — American Guide Series: Texas
stately may suggest blended poised dignity and handsomeness, impressiveness, size and strength, or loftiness
the picture of a regal and stately lady in court dress, with a high diamond tiara upon her noble head — A. Conan Doyle
the long and stately flight of steps descending from the Capitoline Hill to the level of lower Rome — Nathaniel Hawthorne
majestic , which blends the connotations of imposing and stately , may also connote a lofty solemn thought-provoking or awe-inspiring grandeur
calm and majestic, the very picture of courtly self-possession in his coat of gold brocade and black velvet breeches, with a jeweled order tangled in the rich laces upon his breast — Elinor Wylie
the majestic movement of cosmic time — Aldous Huxley
the majestic tradition of classic study gives to the old humanities a dignity that newer branches of learning can never attain — C.H.Grandgent
august applies to an exalted impressiveness inspiring awe, wonder, reverence, or abashment
a sight of the old heathen emperor is enough to create an evanescent sentiment of loyalty even in a democratic bosom, so august does he look, so fit to rule, so worthy of man's profoundest homage and obedience — Nathaniel Hawthorne
for in the eternal city … a Power august, benignant and supreme shall then absolve thee of all farther duties — E.A.Poe
noble may imply illustrious, dignified excellence, stateliness, or loftiness
the disinterested search for truth is certainly one of the highest and noblest careers that a man can choose — W.R.Inge
the old artists, who attained their grand results by penetrating themselves with some noble and significant action — Matthew Arnold
a noble building of rose-colored sandstone inlaid with white marble — Elinor Wylie
grandiose may describe unusual largeness or scope or even majesty, but it commonly suggests an inflated pompous or preposterous pretension
the grandiose complexities of the universe — J.W.Krutch
a grandiose conception worthy of a feudal baron of commerce — V.L.Parrington
All of these words lend themselves readily to hyperbole in application to trivial, mundane, or insignificant things being highly praised
II. noun
( -s )
1. usually capitalized
a. : an officer of a fraternal society or other organization whose title contains the word grand
a past grand
b. : the presiding officer of a club
2. : grand piano
3. slang : a thousand dollars
made about three grand on a swindle
4.
a. : one of the available bids or rounds in a card game: as
(1) : a round in skat in which the four jacks are the only trumps
(2) : a round in frog in which hearts are trumps — compare chico I
b. : grand slam