Gravest

Grave Grave, a. [Compar. {Graver} (gr[=a]v"[~e]r); superl. {Gravest.}] [F., fr. L. gravis heavy; cf. It. & Sp. grave heavy, grave. See {Grief.}] 1. Of great weight; heavy; ponderous. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

His shield grave and great. --Chapman. [1913 Webster]

2. Of importance; momentous; weighty; influential; sedate; serious; -- said of character, relations, etc.; as, grave deportment, character, influence, etc. [1913 Webster]

Most potent, grave, and reverend seigniors. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

A grave and prudent law, full of moral equity. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. Not light or gay; solemn; sober; plain; as, a grave color; a grave face. [1913 Webster]

4. (Mus.) (a) Not acute or sharp; low; deep; -- said of sound; as, a grave note or key. [1913 Webster]

The thicker the cord or string, the more grave is the note or tone. --Moore (Encyc. of Music). (b) Slow and solemn in movement. [1913 Webster]

{Grave accent}. (Pron.) See the Note under {Accent}, n., 2.

Syn: Solemn; sober; serious; sage; staid; demure; thoughtful; sedate; weighty; momentous; important.

Usage: {Grave}, {Sober}, {Serious}, {Solemn.} Sober supposes the absence of all exhilaration of spirits, and is opposed to gay or flighty; as, sober thought. Serious implies considerateness or reflection, and is opposed to jocose or sportive; as, serious and important concerns. Grave denotes a state of mind, appearance, etc., which results from the pressure of weighty interests, and is opposed to hilarity of feeling or vivacity of manner; as, a qrave remark; qrave attire. Solemn is applied to a case in which gravity is carried to its highest point; as, a solemn admonition; a solemn promise. [1913 Webster]