Grand action

Grand Grand (gr[a^]nd), a. [Compar. {Grander} (gr[a^]nd"[~e]r); superl. {Grandest}.] [OE. grant, grount, OF. grant, F. grand, fr. L. grandis; perh. akin to gravis heavy, E. grave, a. Cf. {Grandee}.] 1. Of large size or extent; great; extensive; hence, relatively great; greatest; chief; principal; as, a grand mountain; a grand army; a grand mistake. ``Our grand foe, Satan.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Making so bold . . . to unseal Their grand commission. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or impression; illustrious, dignifled, or noble (said of persons); majestic, splendid, magnificent, or sublime (said of things); as, a grand monarch; a grand lord; a grand general; a grand view; a grand conception. [1913 Webster]

They are the highest models of expression, the unapproached masters of the grand style. --M. Arnold. [1913 Webster]

3. Having higher rank or more dignity, size, or importance than other persons or things of the same name; as, a grand lodge; a grand vizier; a grand piano, etc. [1913 Webster]

4. Standing in the second or some more remote degree of parentage or descent; -- generalIy used in composition; as, grandfather, grandson, grandchild, etc. [1913 Webster]

What cause Mov'd our grand parents, in that happy state, Favor'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off From their Creator. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

{Grand action}, a pianoforte action, used in grand pianos, in which special devices are employed to obtain perfect action of the hammer in striking and leaving the string.

{Grand Army of the Republic}, an organized voluntary association of men who served in the Union army or navy during the civil war in the United States. The order has chapters, called Posts, throughout the country.

{Grand paunch}, a glutton or gourmand. [Obs.] --Holland.

{Grand pensionary}. See under {Pensionary}.

{Grand piano} (Mus.), a large piano, usually harp-shaped, in which the wires or strings are generally triplicated, increasing the power, and all the mechanism is introduced in the most effective manner, regardless of the size of the instrument.

{Grand relief} (Sculp.), alto relievo.

{Grand Seignior}. See under {Seignior}.

{Grand stand}, the principal stand, or erection for spectators, at a, race course, etc.

{Grand vicar} (Eccl.), a principal vicar; an ecclesiastical delegate in France.

{Grand vizier}. See under {Vizier}.

Syn: Magnificent; sublime; majestic; dignified; elevated; stately; august; pompous; lofty; eralted; noble.

Usage: Grand, Magnificent, Sublime. Grand, in reference to objects of taste, is applied to that which expands the mind by a sense of vastness and majesty; magnificent is applied to anything which is imposing from its splendor; sublime describes that which is awful and elevating. A cataract is grand; a rich and varied landscape is magnificent; an overhanging precipice is sublime. ``Grandeur admits of degrees and modifications; but magnificence is that which has already reached the highest degree of superiority naturally belonging to the object in question.'' --Crabb. [1913 Webster]