Grace (given name)
WordNet
noun
(1) A disposition to kindness and compassion
"The victor's grace in treating the vanquished"
(2) (Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God
"God's grace is manifested in the salvation of sinners"
"There but for the grace of God go I"
(3) A sense of propriety and consideration for others
(4) Elegance and beauty of movement or expression
(5) A short prayer of thanks before a meal
(6) (Greek mythology) one of three sisters who were the givers of beauty and charm; a favorite subject for sculptors
(7) (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who under such divine influence
"The conception of grace developed alongside the conception of sin"
"It was debated whether saving grace could be obtained outside the membership of the church"
"The Virgin lived in a state of grace"
verb
(8) Make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
"Decorate the room for the party"
"Beautify yourself for the special day"
(9) Be beautiful to look at
"Flowers adorned the tables everywhere"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From the noun grace, first used by Puritans in the 16th century. In Roman Catholic use it may refer to Our Lady of Graces, cognate with Italian Grazia.
Quotations
- 1648 Robert Herrick, Hesperides:
- To The Handsome Mistress Grace Potter: As is your name, so is your comely face / Touch'd everywhere with such a diffused grace /
- 1839 George William MacArthur Reynolds: Grace Darling, or the Heroine of the Fern Islands: page 24:
- Grace does not belie her name; for she is indeed a sweet girl, modest and unassuming, and appearing to be unconscious of having done anything great or noble. - OBSERVER, Dec.16, 1838.
- 1965 Naomi Long Madgett: Her Story, Star By Star, Harlo Press :
- They named me Grace and waited for a light and agile dancer. / But some trick of genes mixed me up / And instead I turned out big and black and burly.
- 2002 Deborah Paul, Amazing Grace, Indianapolis Monthly, June 2002, page 249:
- Had I given birth to a daughter of my own, I'd like to have called her Grace, a classic and poetic name, one that illuminates a person of dignity and poise.