The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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Making so bold . . . to unseal
Their grand commission. --Shak.
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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.
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They are the highest models of expression, the
unapproached
masters of the grand style. --M. Arnold.
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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.
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4. Standing in the second or some more remote degree of
parentage or descent; -- generalIy used in composition;
as, grandfather, grandson, grandchild, etc.
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What cause
Mov'd our grand parents, in that happy state,
Favor'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off
From their Creator. --Milton.
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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.
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