grace

—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 < OF < L 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.

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One of a group of Greek goddesses who personified charm and beauty.

Originally fertility goddesses, they were frequently associated with Aphrodite. Their number varied in different legends, but often there were three. They were sometimes said to be the daughters of Zeus and Hera and sometimes of Helios and Aegle, daughter of Zeus.

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▪ Greek mythology

Greek  Charis,  plural  Charites,  Latin  Gratia,  

      in Greek religion, one of a group of goddesses of fertility. The name refers to the “pleasing” or “charming” appearance of a fertile field or garden. The number of Graces varied in different legends, but usually there were three: Aglaia (Brightness), Euphrosyne (Joyfulness), and Thalia (Bloom). They are said to be daughters of Zeus and Hera (or Eurynome, daughter of Oceanus) or of Helios and Aegle, a daughter of Zeus. Frequently the Graces were taken as goddesses of charm or beauty in general and hence were associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love; Peitho, her attendant; and Hermes, a fertility and messenger god. In works of art they were represented in early times draped, later as nude female figures. Their chief cult centres were at Orchomenus in Boeotia, Athens, Sparta, and Paphos. The singular Gratia or Charis is sometimes used to denote the personification of Grace and Beauty.

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