— gracelike , adj.
/grays/ , n. , v. , graced, gracing .
n.
1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. favor or good will.
4. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.
5. mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied: The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses. Cf. grace period .
8. Theol.
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
d. Also called state of grace . the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
9. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.
11. ( usually cap. ) a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually prec. by your, his, etc.).
12. Graces , Class. Myth. the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae.
13. Music. See grace note .
14. fall from grace ,
a. Theol. to relapse into sin or disfavor.
b. to lose favor; be discredited: He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.
15. have the grace to , to be so kind as to: Would you have the grace to help, please?
16. in someone's good (or bad ) graces , regarded with favor (or disfavor) by someone: It is a wonder that I have managed to stay in her good graces this long.
17. with bad grace , reluctantly; grudgingly: He apologized, but did so with bad grace. Also, with a bad grace .
18. with good grace , willingly; ungrudgingly: She took on the extra work with good grace.
v.t.
19. to lend or add grace to; adorn: Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.
20. to favor or honor: to grace an occasion with one's presence.
[ 1125-75; ME gratia favor, kindness, esteem, deriv. of gratus pleasing ]
Syn. 1. attractiveness, charm, gracefulness, comeliness, ease. 4. kindness, kindliness, love, benignity; condescension. 5. lenity, leniency. 19. embellish, beautify, deck, decorate, ornament; enhance, honor.
Ant. 1. ugliness. 4. animosity. 5. harshness. 19. disfigure.