graciousadj.adv.

Brit.

/ˈɡreɪʃəs/, U.S.

/ˈɡreɪʃəs/

Forms: Middle English gracewis, Middle English graciouce, Middle English gracis, Middle English gracos, Middle English gracous, Middle English gracyows, Middle English gracyuose, Middle English grasyos, Middle English 1600s graciows, Middle English–1500s graceux, Middle English–1500s gracieux, Middle English–1500s gracyous, Middle English–1500s gracyouse, Middle English–1500s gracyus, Middle English–1500s gratius, Middle English–1600s graceous, Middle English–1600s gracios, Middle English–1600s graciose, Middle English–1600s graciouse, Middle English–1600s gracius, Middle English–1600s gratious, 1500s–1600s gratiouse, Middle English– gracious, 1500s graceoss, 1500s gracioux, 1500s gratyous, 1500s gratyouse, 1500s gracyousse, 1500s grasyus, 1800s grashus (regional and nonstandard), 1800s grayshus (regional and nonstandard); Scottish pre-1700 gracius, pre-1700 graciuss, pre-1700 gracyows, pre-1700 gracyus, pre-1700 gratious, pre-1700 gratiows, pre-1700 gratiowse, pre-1700 gratius, pre-1700 gratyws, pre-1700 1700s– gracious; Irish English (Wexford) 1900s– graashoos.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French gracious, gracieux; Latin grātiōsus.

Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman gracius, gracyous, gratious, gratius, Anglo-Norman and Old French gracios, gracious, Anglo-Norman and Middle French gracieus, Old French, Middle French gracieux, Middle French gratieux (French gracieux ) (of a person or action) generous, kind (late 12th cent.; a1377 or earlier as a courteous epithet used in referring to royalty), pleasing, attractive, beautiful (late 12th cent.), (of a person or thing) characterized by or filled with divine grace (c1224), (of God or Christ) abounding in grace or mercy (beginning of the 14th cent.), in Anglo-Norman also successful, fortunate (1309 or earlier), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin grātiōsus enjoying favour or influence, charming, pleasing, agreeable, showing favour, friendly, kind, obliging, in post-classical Latin also happy, fortunate (early 3rd cent. in Tertullian), condescending (12th cent. in a British source), given by grace (from 12th cent. in British sources), (of a person) full of grace, in a state of grace (from 13th cent. in British sources), (of God) disposed to show or dispense grace (14th cent. in a British source), of or concerning papal dispensation or indulgence (from 14th cent. in British sources), concerning an (academic) dispensation (14th cent. in a British source) < grātia grace n. + -ōsus -ous suffix. Compare later gratiose adj. With the use as adverb compare earlier graciously adv.Compare Old Occitan gracios (c1280), Catalan graciós (14th cent.), Spanish gracioso (c1200), Portuguese gracioso (13th cent.), Italian grazioso (13th cent.). The French word was also borrowed into other Germanic languages; an early example is Middle Dutch gracioos , gracieus (Dutch gratieus ). In sense A. 6 probably after French coup de grâce (see coup de grâce n. at coup n.³ 5e).

A. adj.

a. Endowed with grace or charm of appearance; beautiful, attractive. In later use chiefly: (of appearance, manner, style, etc.) characterized by elegance or good taste; graceful; charming.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > [adjective]

gracious1340

glorious skinnyc1400

drawing1435

gracefulc1449

attrayant1477

well-favoured1539

alluring1567

graceda1586

attracting1589

attractive1592

winning1596

appealing1598

taking1603

allicient1613

enchantinga1616

motive1615

temptinga1616

allurant1631

catchinga1640

gaining1642

canny1643

charmful1656

charming1664

mignon1671

disarminga1718

prepossessing1737

seducing1749

seductive176.

eye-catching1770

sweet1779

catchy1784

attaching1785

engaging1816

cute1834

cunning1843

taky1854

cynosural1855

smart1860

fetching1880

seductious1883

fruity1900

barry1923

hot stuff1928

swoony1934

dishy1961

dolly1964

jiggy1996

aegyo2007

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > [adjective] > graceful

gracious1340

gracefulc1449

elegant1483

nymphlike1567

flowing1619

gracely1648

leggiadrous1648

featly1801

gainly1871

svelte1909

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 24 Þe uirtues of kende huerby som ys kendeliche more þanne oþer, oþer larger..oþer graciouser.

a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 49 (MED) Heo is dereworþe in day, graciouse, stout, ant gay.

c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Ellesmere) (1873) l. 613 A man child she bar by this Walter ffull gracious and fair for to biholde.

?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 45 (MED) Toward the est ende of the cytee is a full fair chirche and a graciouse.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 4909 Ane of þe graciousest gomes þat euire god fourmed.

c1500 Melusine (1895) 366 I desyre none other thing erthly nor none other I shal not aske nor take of you, but only your gracyous body.

a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. F^v Gratious as the morning starre of heauen.

c1600 (c1350) Alisaunder (Greaves) (1929) l. 182 Grete yien and graie, gracious lippes.

1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 143 In Beautie, that of favour is more then that of colour, and that of decent and gratious motion, more then that of favour.

a1652 I. Jones in B. Allsopp & R. A. Sayce Inigo Jones on Palladio (1970) II. i. 21 This waue..insted of y^e Ovolo and verry gratious.

1718 I. Sharpe Hist. Acct. Rise & Growth Heresie 53 George's Person was gracious; his Stature comely.

1792 Ld. Gardenstone Travelling Memorandums II. 213 Both the figures are gracious, beautiful, and perfect.

1863 G. J. Whyte-Melville Gladiators III. 165 Never again would she lie in the moonlight, beautiful and gracious and undefaced.

1891 O. Wilde Picture of Dorian Gray i. 2 The painter looked at the gracious and comely form he had so skilfully mirrored in his art.

1928 L. Stockett Baltimore xiv. 243 Every detail is perfect—the rich colour of the brick-work, the broad low steps, the gracious pediment.

2004 L. Linsley Nantucket Christmas‎ 8 The mantels are strewn with greens, and the gracious stairway banister is wound with garlands.

b. Of nature or character: likely to find grace or favour; having pleasing qualities; attractive, winning, pleasant. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective] > and pleasing

goodeOE

graciousa1398

sweetc1400

graceda1586

cushty1929

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xxiv. 922 Cipresse..haþ bitter leues and violent smel and gracious schadowe.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 507 Vnder his tonge a trewe loue he beer For ther by wende he to be gracious.

c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 954 Al þat growus in þe ground of graciouce þingus.

1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos xv. sig. Dvii^v The byrdes renewen theyre swete songe gracyouse.

1509 J. Fisher Serm. Henry VIJ (de Worde) sig. Aij^v His speche gracyous in dyuerse languages.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 23 b They woulde endevour..too make the Bascha condescend to a better and more gracious composition.

a1711 T. Ken Hymnotheo xiii, in Wks. (1721) III. 375 Down from high Heav'n rush'd a strong gracious Wind, Dispelling Mists, unclouding ev'ry Mind.

1768 H. Walpole Hist. Doubts 108 The body..was found almost entire, and emitted a gracious perfume.

1842 S. Lover Handy Andy Pref. 5 If to paint one's country in its gracious aspect has been a weakness.

1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 147 A thousand shrubs and gracious herbs.

1903 H. Keller Story of my Life vii. 33 Seated in the gracious shade of a wild tulip tree, I learned to think that everything has a lesson and a suggestion.

†c. Enjoying grace or favour; pleasing, acceptable to, popular with. Also of an action: winning favour or goodwill. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > [adjective] > approved or accepted

accepta1382

well-pleaseda1382

ycherydc1407

received1440

graciousa1450

accepted?1495

comprobate1523

well-accepted1526

allowed1538

approbateda1549

well-received1565

well-liked1567

well-graceda1586

unlashed1641

approved1667

approved-of1670

consecrated1868

favoured1891

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > popularity > [adjective]

plausible1541

gracious1573

popular1608

plaudablea1650

popularish1824

popularist1962

a1450 (?a1300) Richard Coer de Lyon (Caius) l. 6522 in K. Brunner Mittelengl. Vers-roman über Richard Löwenherz (1913) 413 It was to R[ichard] a gracyous dede.

1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 20 I am sorie I am so litle gratius in Pembrook that I cannot yit..obtain mi grace.

1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xi. lxii. 270 Alreadie was he gratious both with her and all the Court.

1613 in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) I. 279 I marvel he would offer himself, knowing how little gracious he is.

a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Captaine v. iv, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ii4/1 I am a handsome, gratious fellow amongst women.

1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) ii. 147 Which renders Persons gracious and acceptable in the Eyes of others.

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iv. 349 Spies were set upon..all..discourses, which fell from those, who were not Gracious to them.

1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. xvii. 161 This man wanted to be gracious with my pretty young wife.

1821 Life D. Haggart 55 I..got very gracious with the dub coves, on account of my being a quiet orderly prisoner.

a. Characterized by or exhibiting kindness, courtesy, or generosity of spirit; courteous, considerate, tactful; generous.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adjective]

metheOE

hendc1225

debonairc1230

hendya1250

courteousc1275

hendlyc1275

bonairc1300

quaintc1300

sweetc1330

graciousa1375

meetha1400

debonary1402

debonariousc1485

humanec1500

civil1565

genty1660

discreet1739

polite1751

politeful1832

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective] > gracious

holdc893

winsomec900

goodlyOE

esteOE

menskful?c1225

courteousc1290

besekandlika1300

buxom1362

graciousa1375

queemfulc1390

nighsomea1400

gainlyc1400

favourablec1503

handsome1528

suave?1553

boona1612

benedictive1660

sneerless1884

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 5492 Williams moder..so god was & gracious..so witty & willeful to wirche alle gode dedes.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 137 O Venus..yif me som part of thi grace, So that I may finde..If thou be gracious or non.

a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 3458 Though he [ sc. Daunger] aforn was dispitous He shall heere aftir be gracious.

1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 38 They had neuer seen none so courtoys ne so gracious.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 194 Iff ye haue ferkit any fode to þis frith now Bes gracius for goddes loue ges me som part.

1598 J. Marston Metamorph. Pigmalions Image xv. 8 Be gracious vnto him that formed thee.

1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 70 If a Man be Gracious, and Curteous to Strangers, it shewes, he is a Citizen of the World.

1698 W. Congreve Amendments Mr. Collier's False & Imperfect Citations 53 He is in every Line growing more and more gracious to Mr. Racine.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. iv. 33 Have you not, madam, given a Lady's consent. That we men expect not to be very explicit, very gracious.

1859 Ld. Tennyson Guinevere in Idylls of King 242 Sir Lancelot..Was gracious to all ladies.

1871 J. S. Blackie Four Phases Morals i. 41 An essentially selfish motive can often be traced beneath the gracious surface.

1892 Sun (Baltimore) 7 Dec. 1/5 There is such a thing as being gracious in defeat.

1927 Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 26 Jan. 8/1 Better far to be a kind-hearted and gracious commoner than a proud-hearted and disdainful Duke or Lord.

1946 F. Towers in Life, Lett & London Mercury July 24 She put her elbows on the table and held her cup between both hands, not bothering at all to be gracious or to say anything clever.

1992 M. Blonsky Amer. Mythologies (1993) xvii. 414 Ever the gracious host, Yevtushenko, although gimpy, brings us jams and cakes.

2008 New Yorker 4 Aug. 79/1 People for whom beauty is at best an anachronism and at worst an embarrassing joke, like gracious conduct or any hint of duty or service.

b. spec. Of a person of high (social) status, an employer, etc.: kind, indulgent, or benevolent to others of lower (social) status. Also of behaviour, an act, etc.Sometimes implying a condescending attitude.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective] > gracious > condescending

graciousa1393

condescensivea1677

condescending1707

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 409 Be gracious and do largesse.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 3126 It sit a king to be pitous Toward his poeple and gracious.

1424 State Papers Edinb. Reg. House No. 15 Thankand ȝour excellence..of ȝhur gracius benygn writing.

1543 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 190 Quher~for we beleif your lordschip wilbe so graciuss to pardon ws to remane at hame at this tym.

a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. C4 Nobles..That waite attendance for a gratious looke.

1677 Bp. G. Burnet Mem. Dukes of Hamilton ii. 138 His Majesty was so Gracious as to tell him, he believed him innocent.

1713 J. Swift Let. to Miss Vanhomrigh in Lett. (1766) II. 285 When I am fixed anywhere, perhaps, I may be so gracious to let you know, but I will not promise.

1787 F. Burney Diary Oct. (1842) III. 448 She [sc. the Queen] almost regularly came to my room, and spent the time in gracious converse.

1791 E. Burke Appeal New to Old Whigs 23 The gracious intentions of his sovereign.

1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby iii. 17 ‘I am sure I am very much obliged to you at least, Sir,’ said Miss La Creevy in a gracious manner.

a1876 A. Trollope Autobiogr. (1883) I. vii. 168 [He] turned out to be a duke,—and a duke, too, who could speak English! How gracious he was to us, and yet how thoroughly he covered us with ridicule.

1922 L. J. Miln Green Goddess xxviii. 195 If Madam would be so gracious as to favor me with her—society.

1951 S. Plath Jrnl. Aug. (2000) 90 ‘Why Fred,’ she would say with the gracious and accustomed familiarity she always used toward any of the family employees, ‘why Fred, fresh corn; how lovely.’

2010 New Yorker 22 Nov. 79/2 She approved the menus that Mrs. Nesbitt brought upstairs each morning, and ate with a gracious smile whatever was put in front of her.

c. As a courteous epithet, esp. in referring to royalty, those of high or noble rank, their actions, etc. Frequently with possessive pronoun or genitive.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > royalty > [adjective]

gracious?a1400

regal?c1400

royalc1450

R1654

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 133 Þan was Inglond in pes & charite, & alle in Henry gracious kyng & fre.

1420 in Facsimiles National MSS (1865) I. 39 I recomande me to yowr good and gracieux lordship.

1530 in N. H. Nicolas Privy Purse Expences Henry VIII (1827) 22 Paied to ij Nonnes of Caunterbury by way of the kinges gracieux rewarde xls.

1555 R. Eden in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde Pref. sig. bj Owr noble and gratious prince kynge Phylyppe.

1559 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16292a Prelim. No. 2) Letany sig. B.iiii^v Our most gracious soueraigne Lady Quene Elizabeth.

1571 Act 13 Eliz. c. 29 §2 In the third yeare of her Highnes most gratious Raigne.

1638 Marquis of Hamilton Let. to Charles I in Hamilton Papers (1880) 21 Your Ma^tts most gratious letter of the 29.

1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iii. xii. 125 His gracious Majesty hath been suspected to be Popishly inclined.

?c1663 B. Whitelocke Diary (1990) 583 They voted a Com[mit]tee..to consider of an answer to his M[ajes]tyes gratious Letter & Declaration.

1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xlix. 182 The gracious Prince, who governs this country.

1830 Mirror of Lit. 10 July 52/2 [Sung at the Opera House.] God save our gracious King, William, our noble King.

1853 New Monthly Mag. Dec. 403 The gracious gentleman would do better, if he would listen more to the advice of a humble man, than to the finesses of the count.

1881 ‘M. Twain’ Prince & Pauper v. 35 Thou art good to me that am unworthy, oh, mighty and gracious lord; that in truth I know.

1958 Life 17 Nov. 74/2 You know full well that our last gracious king, George the Sixth, died from the effects of cigarette smoking.

1995 Valley Calling Lakes Explor. Guide 40/2 Treaty Four was signed..between her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and Cree and Saulteaux Nations at Fort Qu'Appelle.

3. Of God, Christ, etc.: abounding in grace or mercy; merciful, compassionate; benevolent.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [adjective] > gracious

mildeOE

graciousa1375

the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > Mary > [adjective] > kind or merciful

mildeOE

gracious1999

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 312 A! gracious gode god! þouȝ grettest of alle!

c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xv. l. 134 (MED) And god is ay gracious to alle þat gredeþ to hym.

c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Hymns to Virgin & Christ (1867) 99 Graciose crist! my soule þou haue.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings xiii. 23 The Lorde was gracious vnto them, and had mercy vpon them.

a1568 R. Ascham in A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. (1576) 444 The moste mightie and gratious God..prolong your life in health and prosperitie.

1635 A. Stafford Femall Glory sig. e6^v Vnder the shadow of thy gratious wing.

1650 T. Hubbert Pilula 122 So great, so good, and so gratious a God.

1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther i. 4 But, gratious God, how well dost thou provide For erring judgments an unerring Guide?

1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) ii. viii I heard my Gracious Father say [etc.].

1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) v. i O Lord, incline thy gracious Ear.

1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess ii. 32 A pack of wolves! the Lord be gracious to me!

1877 G. F. Maclear St. Mark i. 36 His gracious presence was not to be confined to Capernaum.

1916 Boys' Life Dec. 44/2 I shoe my feet with the toughest hides, hard as iron... And I think, if God is gracious to me, that I shall die wearing them.

1956 R. Hazelton God's Way with Man iii. 85 In creed and cult and conduct let it be eagerly voiced that the Lord our God is gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

1999 P. G. Beidler & G. Barton Reader's Guide to Novels of Louise Erdrich ii. 215 The Virgin is gracious, however, for Jack is miraculously unharmed.

†4. Of a person or thing: characterized by, conveying, or filled with divine grace; godly, righteous, pious. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > aspects of faith > piety > [adjective]

GodfrightOE

goodOE

ghostlyOE

Godfrightya1225

seelya1225

devout?c1225

piteousc1300

spiritualc1384

graciousa1387

godlyc1390

pitifulc1449

inwardc1450

piousc1450

evangelica1475

servantly1503

obedientiala1513

Christian1526

well-believing1529

God-fearing1548

resigneda1555

heavenly minded1569

timorate1570

Godfull1593

pious1595

fearful1597

devoutful1598

devotea1625

serious1684

unctuous1742

theopathetic1749

fire-spirited1845

theopathic1846

unctional1849

interior1854

devotionate1864

sacramental1874

pi1891

society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > grace > [adjective]

graciousa1387

graceful?a1425

grace-like1634

gracy1848

engraced1874

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 245 (MED) Harald..made a gracious ende [L. feliciter consummavit], and þat was i-knowe by his laste confessioun.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vi. l. 1080 For I have yit of brethren fyve..To whom, as thou [sc. Abraham] art gracious, I preie that thou woldest sende Lazar.

a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 362 (MED) For ȝif þei wolden suspende hemsilf fro alle þingis but Goddis lawe, it were a graciouse suspendinge.

a1475 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 15th Cent. (1939) 150 (MED) Gracyous crosse, now grawnt us þat grace Hym for to worship with al oure mynde.

1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. v. iii. f. cclxxviii^v All the olde holy exposytours of the scrypture, whiche were good men and gracyouse.

a1635 R. Sibbes Heavenly Conf. (1656) 100 A gracious Christian never wanteth arguments of assurance of salvation.

1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 102 Grace of Regeneration..introduceth gracious habits of sweetnesse, peace and love.

1669 J. Bunyan Holy Citie 130 All the holy and truly gracious Souls that are with him on the Mount Zion.

1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) lxxx. xv Error in ten thousand shapes Would every gracious Soul beguile.

1757 J. Wesley Let. 19 Sept. (1931) III. 222 I could not deny his being a gracious person.

†5. Fortunate, successful; happy; wealthy, prosperous. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > happiness > [adjective]

eadyeOE

i-selic888

i-sundfulc1000

seelya1272

graciousa1387

brighta1413

happy1477

beneurous1483

benewred1483

feliciousc1485

sunshine1594

faust1676

roseate1787

as happy (or jolly, etc.) as a sandboy1821

felicitous1824

happy as Larry1905

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 321 Insule Fortunate þat beeþ þe gracious ilondes [L. insulae Fortunatae].

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 313 Þis [Tiberius] was first wise and redy i-now, and gracious [L. fortunatus] in armes.

c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 193 Alixandre..Þat grete god Amon in graciouce timus Bigat on Olimpias þe onurable quene.

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 136 Bot were I not [read now] more gracyus And rychere be far, I were eten outt of howse And of harbar.

1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. i. sig. A2 My discent..inferiour far To gratious fortunes of my tender youth.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. i. 22 Goe: fresh Horses, And gracious be the issue.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 76 I..desir'd her, To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo, For her poore Brothers pardon.

1691 W. Wollaston Design Part of Bk. Ecclesiastes 86 Now there's a gracious turn and lucky hit.

†6. Of a blow, stroke, etc.: given as an act of mercy to kill a person in great pain. Cf. coup de grâce n. at coup n.³ 5e. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adjective]

finalc1365

endinga1400

finial?a1400

endly1436

conclusional1471

terminalc1475

parting?1570

supreme1570

terminant1589

desinent1608

terminative1613

conclusive1639

graciousa1701

finishing1705

ultimate1755

concluding1795

closing1796

wind-up1843

net1844

conclusory1846

terminational1874

summative1877

wrap-up1968

a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 139 Some one of the standers by is permitted to give him a gratious stab to the heart, so putting an end to his inexpressible misery.

1708 M. Henry Expos. Hist. Bks. Old Test. 1 Sam. i. sig. Oo/1 He would gladly receive from his Hand the Coup de Grace..the Gracious Stroke; that might dispatch him out of his pain.

1878 Medium & Daybreak 6 Dec. 774/1 I guided the gladiator's hand that held the dagger, for he was trembling with emotion—guided, I say, his dagger to my throat, and I received his gracious stab.

†B. adv.

Graciously. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adverb] > graciously

holdec1000

holdelyc1000

sweetly?c1225

courteouslyc1290

graciouslyc1384

favourably1388

thankfully1513

handsomely1542

officiously1604

graciousa1617

the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [adverb] > graciously

graciouslya1400

graciousa1617

a1617 P. Baynes Lectures 269 in Comm. First & Second Chapters Colossians (1634) Therefore the Lord hath dealt marvellously gracious with us.

Phrases

In various exclamatory phrases expressing surprise, dismay, remonstration, or entreaty, often as a euphemism for God (cf. god n. and int. Phrases 1e(a)), as gracious!, Oh (also Ah) (my) gracious!, good gracious!, gracious me!, gracious sakes!, etc. See also goodness gracious (me) at goodness n. Phrases 1b.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection]

whatOE

well, wellOE

avoyc1300

ouc1300

ay1340

lorda1393

ahaa1400

hillaa1400

whannowc1450

wow1513

why?1520

heydaya1529

ah1538

ah me!a1547

fore me!a1547

o me!a1547

what the (also a) goodyear1570

precious coals1576

Lord have mercy (on us)1581

good heavens1588

whau1589

coads1590

ay me!1591

my stars!a1593

Gods me1595

law1598

Godso1600

to go out1600

coads-nigs1608

for mercy!a1616

good stars!1615

mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616

gramercy1617

goodness1623

what next?1662

mon Dieu1665

heugh1668

criminy1681

Lawd1696

the dickens1697

(God, etc.) bless my heart1704

alackaday1705

(for) mercy's sake!1707

my1707

deuce1710

gracious1712

goodly and gracious1713

my word1722

my stars and garters!1758

lawka1774

losha1779

Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.)1784

great guns!1795

mein Gott1795

Dear me!1805

fancy1813

well, I'm sure!1815

massy1817

Dear, dear!1818

to get off1818

laws1824

Mamma mia1824

by crikey1826

wisha1826

alleleu1829

crackey1830

Madonna mia1830

indeed1834

to go on1835

snakes1839

Jerusalem1840

sapristi1840

oh my days1841

tear and ages1841

what (why, etc.) in time?1844

sakes alive!1846

gee willikers1847

to get away1847

well, to be sure!1847

gee1851

Great Scott1852

holy mackerel!1855

doggone1857

lawsy1868

my wig(s)!1871

gee whiz1872

crimes1874

yoicks1881

Christmas1882

hully gee1895

'ullo1895

my hat!1899

good (also great) grief!1900

strike me pink!1902

oo-er1909

what do you know?1909

cripes1910

coo1911

zowiec1913

can you tie that?1918

hot diggety1924

yeow1924

ziggety1924

stone (or stiffen) the crows1930

hullo1931

tiens1932

whammo1932

po po po1936

how about that?1939

hallo1942

brother1945

tie that!1948

surprise1953

wowee1963

yikes1971

never1974

to sod off1976

whee1978

mercy1986

yipes1989

the mind > emotion > exclamation of emotion [interjection]

goodness1623

agad1672

Godsokers1672

Oh dear!1694

law1763

lud1767

Dear me!1773

Lor1776

dear knows!1805

Great God!1819

Great Scott1852

Jehoshaphat1857

lors1860

Great Sun!1867

Great Caesar!1870

gracious me!1884

my (giddy, sainted, etc.) aunt!1886

snakes1891

lieber Gott1898

my gosh!1920

cor1931

1712 J. Gay Mohocks ii. 13 Oh Gracious what's this our Peter?

1744 W. Warburton Remarks Occas. Refl. 140 Goodly and gracious! Here he shews how capable a Reader he is of the Divine Legation.

1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man i. 14 Good gracious, can I believe my eyes or my ears!

1794 A. M. Bennett Ellen I. 18 ‘Gracious!’ she exclaimed.

1850 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 137 My startled look and exclamation, ‘Oh, gracious!’

1856 H. B. Stowe Dred I. xi. 144 'Married! O, my gracious!

1860 Harper's Mag. July 197/1 Gracious sakes, hain't there gals enough, and putty ones tew, to our Meetin'?

1884 D. Pae Eustace 14 Gracious me, how does she come to be the sister of that huge salmon-fisher?

1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham iii. 59 By gracious!..there ain't anything like that in this world for business.

1893 ‘Q’ Delectable Duchy 155 ‘I hope to gracious you'm goin' to keep it up.’

1896 W. W. Skeat & T. Hallam Pegge's Two Coll. Derbicisms (at cited word) Ah gracious! an exclamation for ah gracious God! or, ah be gracious unto me!

1908 E. M. Forster Room with View xii. 202 ‘Gracious alive!’ cried Mrs. Honeychurch. ‘Whoever were those unfortunate people? Oh, dears, look away!’

1917 P. G. Wodehouse Uneasy Money ix. 99 ‘Nutty, he's bitten.’.. ‘Good gracious! What by?’

1969 B. Head When Rain Clouds Gather xii. 179 Ha, ha. Gracious me, George. Don't tell me you want to die now. You're just a spring chicken.

Compounds

C1. Parasynthetic and with past participles forming adjectives, as gracious-minded, gracious-spoken, etc.

ΚΠ

1782 G. E. Howard Misc. Wks. III. p. ccxxxix With the concurrence of our truly great and gracious-minded sovereign.

1835 Miss Cathcart Heir of Mordaunt III. 33 You are a gracious-spoken young lady, I must confess.

1873 B. De Jongh Rosa Noel II. xii. 216 Just the same sweet-tempered, gentle-mannered, gracious-worded boy you ever were.

1921 Outlook 29 June 384/1 Prose, when it is perfected, will be as sweet as the talk of gracious-minded women.

1945 E. Young Flowering Dusk 26 She is slender and gracious-spoken, she has..a certain shyness of manner that is unexpected and delightful.

1991 D. A. Soifer tr. Skanda Purāna in Myths of Narasiṁha & Vāmana 251 Gracious-minded Siva, lord of all, always gives everything.

C2.

† gracious day n. Oxford University Obsolete (a) a day during the university term on which a student is exempted from full attendance; a half-time day; (b) a day on which students are granted permission to take a degree; cf. grace n. 9.

ΚΠ

1721 N. Amhurst Terræ-filius 14 June Some of these Days are called gracious Days, because upon them the Respondent is not obliged to stay in the Schools above half the Time which Respondents upon other Days are.

1774 J. Woodforde Diary 10 Mar. in Woodforde at Oxf. (1969) 277 Was sent for this morning to the Convocation House to make a House for a gracious day, and if I had not went, this Day would not be one.

gracious liver n. [ < gracious adj. + liver n.²] a person who lives elegantly and according to standards of good taste (frequently with an element of pretentiousness implied); cf. gracious living n.

ΚΠ

1946 M. White In Blazing Light vi. 123 He rented one of his lower rooms to a group of writers, savants, and gracious livers who dedicated their conversation to women, bulls and sometimes literature.

1953 K. Amis Lucky Jim xiv. 145 It should be possible for the right man to stop, or at least hinder, her from being a refined gracious-liver and arty-rubbish-talker.

1987 D. Waitley Being Best xi 189 I enjoy beautifully set tables and freshly cut flowers, too, but I also know that gracious livers are not always gracious.

gracious living n. a way of life characterized by elegance, comfort and good taste.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > luxury or luxurious living > [noun]

softnessOE

voluptuositya1380

voluptuoustya1382

delicacya1393

deliciousnessa1500

volupteousness1526

niceness1540

nicety1542

wealiness1545

luxe1558

voluptibility1631

luxury1633

voluptuousness1652

volupté1712

decadence1882

gracious living1892

vie de luxe1920

good life1937

dolce vita1961

sweet life1962

the world > action or operation > behaviour > way of life > [noun] > specific > pleasant or unpleasant way of life

gracious living1892

ungracious living1958

1892 Transcript (Boston, Mass.) in Literary News Dec. 366/1 Mrs. Austin's stories enable us to see a great deal of gracious living, and that, too, through an atmosphere of wonderful clearness and purity.

1945 Palestine Post 26 Oct. 7/6 American magazines..are all geared to some super-glamourized Gracious Living in relation to the opinion of the neighbours.

2009 Tampa Bay Mag. May 125/1 From its dock to the large chef's kitchen and breakfast nook, everything has been designed for gracious living.

† gracious lord n. [after Middle French, French regional (Normandy) (rare) †gracieux seigneur (1552 in Middle French, in the passage translated in quot. 1694, whence 1611 in Cotgrave)] Obsolete rare a marine fish (not identified).

ΚΠ

1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. lx. 236 Rock fish, Gracious Lords, Sword fish, [etc.].

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	gracious
释义	graciousadj.adv. Brit. /ˈɡreɪʃəs/, U.S. /ˈɡreɪʃəs/ Forms: Middle English gracewis, Middle English graciouce, Middle English gracis, Middle English gracos, Middle English gracous, Middle English gracyows, Middle English gracyuose, Middle English grasyos, Middle English 1600s graciows, Middle English–1500s graceux, Middle English–1500s gracieux, Middle English–1500s gracyous, Middle English–1500s gracyouse, Middle English–1500s gracyus, Middle English–1500s gratius, Middle English–1600s graceous, Middle English–1600s gracios, Middle English–1600s graciose, Middle English–1600s graciouse, Middle English–1600s gracius, Middle English–1600s gratious, 1500s–1600s gratiouse, Middle English– gracious, 1500s graceoss, 1500s gracioux, 1500s gratyous, 1500s gratyouse, 1500s gracyousse, 1500s grasyus, 1800s grashus (regional and nonstandard), 1800s grayshus (regional and nonstandard); Scottish pre-1700 gracius, pre-1700 graciuss, pre-1700 gracyows, pre-1700 gracyus, pre-1700 gratious, pre-1700 gratiows, pre-1700 gratiowse, pre-1700 gratius, pre-1700 gratyws, pre-1700 1700s– gracious; Irish English (Wexford) 1900s– graashoos. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French gracious, gracieux; Latin grātiōsus. Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman gracius, gracyous, gratious, gratius, Anglo-Norman and Old French gracios, gracious, Anglo-Norman and Middle French gracieus, Old French, Middle French gracieux, Middle French gratieux (French gracieux ) (of a person or action) generous, kind (late 12th cent.; a1377 or earlier as a courteous epithet used in referring to royalty), pleasing, attractive, beautiful (late 12th cent.), (of a person or thing) characterized by or filled with divine grace (c1224), (of God or Christ) abounding in grace or mercy (beginning of the 14th cent.), in Anglo-Norman also successful, fortunate (1309 or earlier), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin grātiōsus enjoying favour or influence, charming, pleasing, agreeable, showing favour, friendly, kind, obliging, in post-classical Latin also happy, fortunate (early 3rd cent. in Tertullian), condescending (12th cent. in a British source), given by grace (from 12th cent. in British sources), (of a person) full of grace, in a state of grace (from 13th cent. in British sources), (of God) disposed to show or dispense grace (14th cent. in a British source), of or concerning papal dispensation or indulgence (from 14th cent. in British sources), concerning an (academic) dispensation (14th cent. in a British source) < grātia grace n. + -ōsus -ous suffix. Compare later gratiose adj. With the use as adverb compare earlier graciously adv.Compare Old Occitan gracios (c1280), Catalan graciós (14th cent.), Spanish gracioso (c1200), Portuguese gracioso (13th cent.), Italian grazioso (13th cent.). The French word was also borrowed into other Germanic languages; an early example is Middle Dutch gracioos , gracieus (Dutch gratieus ). In sense A. 6 probably after French coup de grâce (see coup de grâce n. at coup n.³ 5e). A. adj. 1. a. Endowed with grace or charm of appearance; beautiful, attractive. In later use chiefly: (of appearance, manner, style, etc.) characterized by elegance or good taste; graceful; charming. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > [adjective] gracious1340 glorious skinnyc1400 drawing1435 gracefulc1449 attrayant1477 well-favoured1539 alluring1567 graceda1586 attracting1589 attractive1592 winning1596 appealing1598 taking1603 allicient1613 enchantinga1616 motive1615 temptinga1616 allurant1631 catchinga1640 gaining1642 canny1643 charmful1656 charming1664 mignon1671 disarminga1718 prepossessing1737 seducing1749 seductive176. eye-catching1770 sweet1779 catchy1784 attaching1785 engaging1816 cute1834 cunning1843 taky1854 cynosural1855 smart1860 fetching1880 seductious1883 fruity1900 barry1923 hot stuff1928 swoony1934 dishy1961 dolly1964 jiggy1996 aegyo2007 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > [adjective] > graceful gracious1340 gracefulc1449 elegant1483 nymphlike1567 flowing1619 gracely1648 leggiadrous1648 featly1801 gainly1871 svelte1909 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 24 Þe uirtues of kende huerby som ys kendeliche more þanne oþer, oþer larger..oþer graciouser. a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 49 (MED) Heo is dereworþe in day, graciouse, stout, ant gay. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Ellesmere) (1873) l. 613 A man child she bar by this Walter ffull gracious and fair for to biholde. ?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 45 (MED) Toward the est ende of the cytee is a full fair chirche and a graciouse. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 4909 Ane of þe graciousest gomes þat euire god fourmed. c1500 Melusine (1895) 366 I desyre none other thing erthly nor none other I shal not aske nor take of you, but only your gracyous body. a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. F^v Gratious as the morning starre of heauen. c1600 (c1350) Alisaunder (Greaves) (1929) l. 182 Grete yien and graie, gracious lippes. 1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 143 In Beautie, that of favour is more then that of colour, and that of decent and gratious motion, more then that of favour. a1652 I. Jones in B. Allsopp & R. A. Sayce Inigo Jones on Palladio (1970) II. i. 21 This waue..insted of y^e Ovolo and verry gratious. 1718 I. Sharpe Hist. Acct. Rise & Growth Heresie 53 George's Person was gracious; his Stature comely. 1792 Ld. Gardenstone Travelling Memorandums II. 213 Both the figures are gracious, beautiful, and perfect. 1863 G. J. Whyte-Melville Gladiators III. 165 Never again would she lie in the moonlight, beautiful and gracious and undefaced. 1891 O. Wilde Picture of Dorian Gray i. 2 The painter looked at the gracious and comely form he had so skilfully mirrored in his art. 1928 L. Stockett Baltimore xiv. 243 Every detail is perfect—the rich colour of the brick-work, the broad low steps, the gracious pediment. 2004 L. Linsley Nantucket Christmas‎ 8 The mantels are strewn with greens, and the gracious stairway banister is wound with garlands. b. Of nature or character: likely to find grace or favour; having pleasing qualities; attractive, winning, pleasant. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective] > and pleasing goodeOE graciousa1398 sweetc1400 graceda1586 cushty1929 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xxiv. 922 Cipresse..haþ bitter leues and violent smel and gracious schadowe. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 507 Vnder his tonge a trewe loue he beer For ther by wende he to be gracious. c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 954 Al þat growus in þe ground of graciouce þingus. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos xv. sig. Dvii^v The byrdes renewen theyre swete songe gracyouse. 1509 J. Fisher Serm. Henry VIJ (de Worde) sig. Aij^v His speche gracyous in dyuerse languages. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 23 b They woulde endevour..too make the Bascha condescend to a better and more gracious composition. a1711 T. Ken Hymnotheo xiii, in Wks. (1721) III. 375 Down from high Heav'n rush'd a strong gracious Wind, Dispelling Mists, unclouding ev'ry Mind. 1768 H. Walpole Hist. Doubts 108 The body..was found almost entire, and emitted a gracious perfume. 1842 S. Lover Handy Andy Pref. 5 If to paint one's country in its gracious aspect has been a weakness. 1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 147 A thousand shrubs and gracious herbs. 1903 H. Keller Story of my Life vii. 33 Seated in the gracious shade of a wild tulip tree, I learned to think that everything has a lesson and a suggestion. †c. Enjoying grace or favour; pleasing, acceptable to, popular with. Also of an action: winning favour or goodwill. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > [adjective] > approved or accepted accepta1382 well-pleaseda1382 ycherydc1407 received1440 graciousa1450 accepted?1495 comprobate1523 well-accepted1526 allowed1538 approbateda1549 well-received1565 well-liked1567 well-graceda1586 unlashed1641 approved1667 approved-of1670 consecrated1868 favoured1891 the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > popularity > [adjective] plausible1541 gracious1573 popular1608 plaudablea1650 popularish1824 popularist1962 a1450 (?a1300) Richard Coer de Lyon (Caius) l. 6522 in K. Brunner Mittelengl. Vers-roman über Richard Löwenherz (1913) 413 It was to R[ichard] a gracyous dede. 1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 20 I am sorie I am so litle gratius in Pembrook that I cannot yit..obtain mi grace. 1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xi. lxii. 270 Alreadie was he gratious both with her and all the Court. 1613 in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) I. 279 I marvel he would offer himself, knowing how little gracious he is. a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Captaine v. iv, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ii4/1 I am a handsome, gratious fellow amongst women. 1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) ii. 147 Which renders Persons gracious and acceptable in the Eyes of others. 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iv. 349 Spies were set upon..all..discourses, which fell from those, who were not Gracious to them. 1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. xvii. 161 This man wanted to be gracious with my pretty young wife. 1821 Life D. Haggart 55 I..got very gracious with the dub coves, on account of my being a quiet orderly prisoner. 2. a. Characterized by or exhibiting kindness, courtesy, or generosity of spirit; courteous, considerate, tactful; generous. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adjective] metheOE hendc1225 debonairc1230 hendya1250 courteousc1275 hendlyc1275 bonairc1300 quaintc1300 sweetc1330 graciousa1375 meetha1400 debonary1402 debonariousc1485 humanec1500 civil1565 genty1660 discreet1739 polite1751 politeful1832 the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective] > gracious holdc893 winsomec900 goodlyOE esteOE menskful?c1225 courteousc1290 besekandlika1300 buxom1362 graciousa1375 queemfulc1390 nighsomea1400 gainlyc1400 favourablec1503 handsome1528 suave?1553 boona1612 benedictive1660 sneerless1884 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 5492 Williams moder..so god was & gracious..so witty & willeful to wirche alle gode dedes. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 137 O Venus..yif me som part of thi grace, So that I may finde..If thou be gracious or non. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 3458 Though he [ sc. Daunger] aforn was dispitous He shall heere aftir be gracious. 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 38 They had neuer seen none so courtoys ne so gracious. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 194 Iff ye haue ferkit any fode to þis frith now Bes gracius for goddes loue ges me som part. 1598 J. Marston Metamorph. Pigmalions Image xv. 8 Be gracious vnto him that formed thee. 1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 70 If a Man be Gracious, and Curteous to Strangers, it shewes, he is a Citizen of the World. 1698 W. Congreve Amendments Mr. Collier's False & Imperfect Citations 53 He is in every Line growing more and more gracious to Mr. Racine. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. iv. 33 Have you not, madam, given a Lady's consent. That we men expect not to be very explicit, very gracious. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Guinevere in Idylls of King 242 Sir Lancelot..Was gracious to all ladies. 1871 J. S. Blackie Four Phases Morals i. 41 An essentially selfish motive can often be traced beneath the gracious surface. 1892 Sun (Baltimore) 7 Dec. 1/5 There is such a thing as being gracious in defeat. 1927 Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 26 Jan. 8/1 Better far to be a kind-hearted and gracious commoner than a proud-hearted and disdainful Duke or Lord. 1946 F. Towers in Life, Lett & London Mercury July 24 She put her elbows on the table and held her cup between both hands, not bothering at all to be gracious or to say anything clever. 1992 M. Blonsky Amer. Mythologies (1993) xvii. 414 Ever the gracious host, Yevtushenko, although gimpy, brings us jams and cakes. 2008 New Yorker 4 Aug. 79/1 People for whom beauty is at best an anachronism and at worst an embarrassing joke, like gracious conduct or any hint of duty or service. b. spec. Of a person of high (social) status, an employer, etc.: kind, indulgent, or benevolent to others of lower (social) status. Also of behaviour, an act, etc.Sometimes implying a condescending attitude. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective] > gracious > condescending graciousa1393 condescensivea1677 condescending1707 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 409 Be gracious and do largesse. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 3126 It sit a king to be pitous Toward his poeple and gracious. 1424 State Papers Edinb. Reg. House No. 15 Thankand ȝour excellence..of ȝhur gracius benygn writing. 1543 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 190 Quher~for we beleif your lordschip wilbe so graciuss to pardon ws to remane at hame at this tym. a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. C4 Nobles..That waite attendance for a gratious looke. 1677 Bp. G. Burnet Mem. Dukes of Hamilton ii. 138 His Majesty was so Gracious as to tell him, he believed him innocent. 1713 J. Swift Let. to Miss Vanhomrigh in Lett. (1766) II. 285 When I am fixed anywhere, perhaps, I may be so gracious to let you know, but I will not promise. 1787 F. Burney Diary Oct. (1842) III. 448 She [sc. the Queen] almost regularly came to my room, and spent the time in gracious converse. 1791 E. Burke Appeal New to Old Whigs 23 The gracious intentions of his sovereign. 1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby iii. 17 ‘I am sure I am very much obliged to you at least, Sir,’ said Miss La Creevy in a gracious manner. a1876 A. Trollope Autobiogr. (1883) I. vii. 168 [He] turned out to be a duke,—and a duke, too, who could speak English! How gracious he was to us, and yet how thoroughly he covered us with ridicule. 1922 L. J. Miln Green Goddess xxviii. 195 If Madam would be so gracious as to favor me with her—society. 1951 S. Plath Jrnl. Aug. (2000) 90 ‘Why Fred,’ she would say with the gracious and accustomed familiarity she always used toward any of the family employees, ‘why Fred, fresh corn; how lovely.’ 2010 New Yorker 22 Nov. 79/2 She approved the menus that Mrs. Nesbitt brought upstairs each morning, and ate with a gracious smile whatever was put in front of her. c. As a courteous epithet, esp. in referring to royalty, those of high or noble rank, their actions, etc. Frequently with possessive pronoun or genitive. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > royalty > [adjective] gracious?a1400 regal?c1400 royalc1450 R1654 ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 133 Þan was Inglond in pes & charite, & alle in Henry gracious kyng & fre. 1420 in Facsimiles National MSS (1865) I. 39 I recomande me to yowr good and gracieux lordship. 1530 in N. H. Nicolas Privy Purse Expences Henry VIII (1827) 22 Paied to ij Nonnes of Caunterbury by way of the kinges gracieux rewarde xls. 1555 R. Eden in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde Pref. sig. bj Owr noble and gratious prince kynge Phylyppe. 1559 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16292a Prelim. No. 2) Letany sig. B.iiii^v Our most gracious soueraigne Lady Quene Elizabeth. 1571 Act 13 Eliz. c. 29 §2 In the third yeare of her Highnes most gratious Raigne. 1638 Marquis of Hamilton Let. to Charles I in Hamilton Papers (1880) 21 Your Ma^tts most gratious letter of the 29. 1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iii. xii. 125 His gracious Majesty hath been suspected to be Popishly inclined. ?c1663 B. Whitelocke Diary (1990) 583 They voted a Com[mit]tee..to consider of an answer to his M[ajes]tyes gratious Letter & Declaration. 1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xlix. 182 The gracious Prince, who governs this country. 1830 Mirror of Lit. 10 July 52/2 [Sung at the Opera House.] God save our gracious King, William, our noble King. 1853 New Monthly Mag. Dec. 403 The gracious gentleman would do better, if he would listen more to the advice of a humble man, than to the finesses of the count. 1881 ‘M. Twain’ Prince & Pauper v. 35 Thou art good to me that am unworthy, oh, mighty and gracious lord; that in truth I know. 1958 Life 17 Nov. 74/2 You know full well that our last gracious king, George the Sixth, died from the effects of cigarette smoking. 1995 Valley Calling Lakes Explor. Guide 40/2 Treaty Four was signed..between her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and Cree and Saulteaux Nations at Fort Qu'Appelle. 3. Of God, Christ, etc.: abounding in grace or mercy; merciful, compassionate; benevolent. ΘΚΠ the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [adjective] > gracious mildeOE graciousa1375 the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > Mary > [adjective] > kind or merciful mildeOE gracious1999 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 312 A! gracious gode god! þouȝ grettest of alle! c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xv. l. 134 (MED) And god is ay gracious to alle þat gredeþ to hym. c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Hymns to Virgin & Christ (1867) 99 Graciose crist! my soule þou haue. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings xiii. 23 The Lorde was gracious vnto them, and had mercy vpon them. a1568 R. Ascham in A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. (1576) 444 The moste mightie and gratious God..prolong your life in health and prosperitie. 1635 A. Stafford Femall Glory sig. e6^v Vnder the shadow of thy gratious wing. 1650 T. Hubbert Pilula 122 So great, so good, and so gratious a God. 1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther i. 4 But, gratious God, how well dost thou provide For erring judgments an unerring Guide? 1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) ii. viii I heard my Gracious Father say [etc.]. 1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) v. i O Lord, incline thy gracious Ear. 1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess ii. 32 A pack of wolves! the Lord be gracious to me! 1877 G. F. Maclear St. Mark i. 36 His gracious presence was not to be confined to Capernaum. 1916 Boys' Life Dec. 44/2 I shoe my feet with the toughest hides, hard as iron... And I think, if God is gracious to me, that I shall die wearing them. 1956 R. Hazelton God's Way with Man iii. 85 In creed and cult and conduct let it be eagerly voiced that the Lord our God is gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 1999 P. G. Beidler & G. Barton Reader's Guide to Novels of Louise Erdrich ii. 215 The Virgin is gracious, however, for Jack is miraculously unharmed. †4. Of a person or thing: characterized by, conveying, or filled with divine grace; godly, righteous, pious. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > faith > aspects of faith > piety > [adjective] GodfrightOE goodOE ghostlyOE Godfrightya1225 seelya1225 devout?c1225 piteousc1300 spiritualc1384 graciousa1387 godlyc1390 pitifulc1449 inwardc1450 piousc1450 evangelica1475 servantly1503 obedientiala1513 Christian1526 well-believing1529 God-fearing1548 resigneda1555 heavenly minded1569 timorate1570 Godfull1593 pious1595 fearful1597 devoutful1598 devotea1625 serious1684 unctuous1742 theopathetic1749 fire-spirited1845 theopathic1846 unctional1849 interior1854 devotionate1864 sacramental1874 pi1891 society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > grace > [adjective] graciousa1387 graceful?a1425 grace-like1634 gracy1848 engraced1874 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 245 (MED) Harald..made a gracious ende [L. feliciter consummavit], and þat was i-knowe by his laste confessioun. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vi. l. 1080 For I have yit of brethren fyve..To whom, as thou [sc. Abraham] art gracious, I preie that thou woldest sende Lazar. a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 362 (MED) For ȝif þei wolden suspende hemsilf fro alle þingis but Goddis lawe, it were a graciouse suspendinge. a1475 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 15th Cent. (1939) 150 (MED) Gracyous crosse, now grawnt us þat grace Hym for to worship with al oure mynde. 1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. v. iii. f. cclxxviii^v All the olde holy exposytours of the scrypture, whiche were good men and gracyouse. a1635 R. Sibbes Heavenly Conf. (1656) 100 A gracious Christian never wanteth arguments of assurance of salvation. 1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 102 Grace of Regeneration..introduceth gracious habits of sweetnesse, peace and love. 1669 J. Bunyan Holy Citie 130 All the holy and truly gracious Souls that are with him on the Mount Zion. 1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) lxxx. xv Error in ten thousand shapes Would every gracious Soul beguile. 1757 J. Wesley Let. 19 Sept. (1931) III. 222 I could not deny his being a gracious person. †5. Fortunate, successful; happy; wealthy, prosperous. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > happiness > [adjective] eadyeOE i-selic888 i-sundfulc1000 seelya1272 graciousa1387 brighta1413 happy1477 beneurous1483 benewred1483 feliciousc1485 sunshine1594 faust1676 roseate1787 as happy (or jolly, etc.) as a sandboy1821 felicitous1824 happy as Larry1905 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 321 Insule Fortunate þat beeþ þe gracious ilondes [L. insulae Fortunatae]. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 313 Þis [Tiberius] was first wise and redy i-now, and gracious [L. fortunatus] in armes. c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 193 Alixandre..Þat grete god Amon in graciouce timus Bigat on Olimpias þe onurable quene. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 136 Bot were I not [read now] more gracyus And rychere be far, I were eten outt of howse And of harbar. 1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. i. sig. A2 My discent..inferiour far To gratious fortunes of my tender youth. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. i. 22 Goe: fresh Horses, And gracious be the issue. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 76 I..desir'd her, To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo, For her poore Brothers pardon. View more context for this quotation 1691 W. Wollaston Design Part of Bk. Ecclesiastes 86 Now there's a gracious turn and lucky hit. †6. Of a blow, stroke, etc.: given as an act of mercy to kill a person in great pain. Cf. coup de grâce n. at coup n.³ 5e. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adjective] finalc1365 endinga1400 finial?a1400 endly1436 conclusional1471 terminalc1475 parting?1570 supreme1570 terminant1589 desinent1608 terminative1613 conclusive1639 graciousa1701 finishing1705 ultimate1755 concluding1795 closing1796 wind-up1843 net1844 conclusory1846 terminational1874 summative1877 wrap-up1968 a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 139 Some one of the standers by is permitted to give him a gratious stab to the heart, so putting an end to his inexpressible misery. 1708 M. Henry Expos. Hist. Bks. Old Test. 1 Sam. i. sig. Oo/1 He would gladly receive from his Hand the Coup de Grace..the Gracious Stroke; that might dispatch him out of his pain. 1878 Medium & Daybreak 6 Dec. 774/1 I guided the gladiator's hand that held the dagger, for he was trembling with emotion—guided, I say, his dagger to my throat, and I received his gracious stab. †B. adv. Graciously. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adverb] > graciously holdec1000 holdelyc1000 sweetly?c1225 courteouslyc1290 graciouslyc1384 favourably1388 thankfully1513 handsomely1542 officiously1604 graciousa1617 the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [adverb] > graciously graciouslya1400 graciousa1617 a1617 P. Baynes Lectures 269 in Comm. First & Second Chapters Colossians (1634) Therefore the Lord hath dealt marvellously gracious with us. Phrases In various exclamatory phrases expressing surprise, dismay, remonstration, or entreaty, often as a euphemism for God (cf. god n. and int. Phrases 1e(a)), as gracious!, Oh (also Ah) (my) gracious!, good gracious!, gracious me!, gracious sakes!, etc. See also goodness gracious (me) at goodness n. Phrases 1b. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection] whatOE well, wellOE avoyc1300 ouc1300 ay1340 lorda1393 ahaa1400 hillaa1400 whannowc1450 wow1513 why?1520 heydaya1529 ah1538 ah me!a1547 fore me!a1547 o me!a1547 what the (also a) goodyear1570 precious coals1576 Lord have mercy (on us)1581 good heavens1588 whau1589 coads1590 ay me!1591 my stars!a1593 Gods me1595 law1598 Godso1600 to go out1600 coads-nigs1608 for mercy!a1616 good stars!1615 mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616 gramercy1617 goodness1623 what next?1662 mon Dieu1665 heugh1668 criminy1681 Lawd1696 the dickens1697 (God, etc.) bless my heart1704 alackaday1705 (for) mercy's sake!1707 my1707 deuce1710 gracious1712 goodly and gracious1713 my word1722 my stars and garters!1758 lawka1774 losha1779 Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.)1784 great guns!1795 mein Gott1795 Dear me!1805 fancy1813 well, I'm sure!1815 massy1817 Dear, dear!1818 to get off1818 laws1824 Mamma mia1824 by crikey1826 wisha1826 alleleu1829 crackey1830 Madonna mia1830 indeed1834 to go on1835 snakes1839 Jerusalem1840 sapristi1840 oh my days1841 tear and ages1841 what (why, etc.) in time?1844 sakes alive!1846 gee willikers1847 to get away1847 well, to be sure!1847 gee1851 Great Scott1852 holy mackerel!1855 doggone1857 lawsy1868 my wig(s)!1871 gee whiz1872 crimes1874 yoicks1881 Christmas1882 hully gee1895 'ullo1895 my hat!1899 good (also great) grief!1900 strike me pink!1902 oo-er1909 what do you know?1909 cripes1910 coo1911 zowiec1913 can you tie that?1918 hot diggety1924 yeow1924 ziggety1924 stone (or stiffen) the crows1930 hullo1931 tiens1932 whammo1932 po po po1936 how about that?1939 hallo1942 brother1945 tie that!1948 surprise1953 wowee1963 yikes1971 never1974 to sod off1976 whee1978 mercy1986 yipes1989 the mind > emotion > exclamation of emotion [interjection] goodness1623 agad1672 Godsokers1672 Oh dear!1694 law1763 lud1767 Dear me!1773 Lor1776 dear knows!1805 Great God!1819 Great Scott1852 Jehoshaphat1857 lors1860 Great Sun!1867 Great Caesar!1870 gracious me!1884 my (giddy, sainted, etc.) aunt!1886 snakes1891 lieber Gott1898 my gosh!1920 cor1931 1712 J. Gay Mohocks ii. 13 Oh Gracious what's this our Peter? 1744 W. Warburton Remarks Occas. Refl. 140 Goodly and gracious! Here he shews how capable a Reader he is of the Divine Legation. 1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man i. 14 Good gracious, can I believe my eyes or my ears! 1794 A. M. Bennett Ellen I. 18 ‘Gracious!’ she exclaimed. 1850 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 137 My startled look and exclamation, ‘Oh, gracious!’ 1856 H. B. Stowe Dred I. xi. 144 'Married! O, my gracious! 1860 Harper's Mag. July 197/1 Gracious sakes, hain't there gals enough, and putty ones tew, to our Meetin'? 1884 D. Pae Eustace 14 Gracious me, how does she come to be the sister of that huge salmon-fisher? 1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham iii. 59 By gracious!..there ain't anything like that in this world for business. 1893 ‘Q’ Delectable Duchy 155 ‘I hope to gracious you'm goin' to keep it up.’ 1896 W. W. Skeat & T. Hallam Pegge's Two Coll. Derbicisms (at cited word) Ah gracious! an exclamation for ah gracious God! or, ah be gracious unto me! 1908 E. M. Forster Room with View xii. 202 ‘Gracious alive!’ cried Mrs. Honeychurch. ‘Whoever were those unfortunate people? Oh, dears, look away!’ 1917 P. G. Wodehouse Uneasy Money ix. 99 ‘Nutty, he's bitten.’.. ‘Good gracious! What by?’ 1969 B. Head When Rain Clouds Gather xii. 179 Ha, ha. Gracious me, George. Don't tell me you want to die now. You're just a spring chicken. Compounds C1. Parasynthetic and with past participles forming adjectives, as gracious-minded, gracious-spoken, etc. ΚΠ 1782 G. E. Howard Misc. Wks. III. p. ccxxxix With the concurrence of our truly great and gracious-minded sovereign. 1835 Miss Cathcart Heir of Mordaunt III. 33 You are a gracious-spoken young lady, I must confess. 1873 B. De Jongh Rosa Noel II. xii. 216 Just the same sweet-tempered, gentle-mannered, gracious-worded boy you ever were. 1921 Outlook 29 June 384/1 Prose, when it is perfected, will be as sweet as the talk of gracious-minded women. 1945 E. Young Flowering Dusk 26 She is slender and gracious-spoken, she has..a certain shyness of manner that is unexpected and delightful. 1991 D. A. Soifer tr. Skanda Purāna in Myths of Narasiṁha & Vāmana 251 Gracious-minded Siva, lord of all, always gives everything. C2. † gracious day n. Oxford University Obsolete (a) a day during the university term on which a student is exempted from full attendance; a half-time day; (b) a day on which students are granted permission to take a degree; cf. grace n. 9. ΚΠ 1721 N. Amhurst Terræ-filius 14 June Some of these Days are called gracious Days, because upon them the Respondent is not obliged to stay in the Schools above half the Time which Respondents upon other Days are. 1774 J. Woodforde Diary 10 Mar. in Woodforde at Oxf. (1969) 277 Was sent for this morning to the Convocation House to make a House for a gracious day, and if I had not went, this Day would not be one. gracious liver n. [ < gracious adj. + liver n.²] a person who lives elegantly and according to standards of good taste (frequently with an element of pretentiousness implied); cf. gracious living n. ΚΠ 1946 M. White In Blazing Light vi. 123 He rented one of his lower rooms to a group of writers, savants, and gracious livers who dedicated their conversation to women, bulls and sometimes literature. 1953 K. Amis Lucky Jim xiv. 145 It should be possible for the right man to stop, or at least hinder, her from being a refined gracious-liver and arty-rubbish-talker. 1987 D. Waitley Being Best xi 189 I enjoy beautifully set tables and freshly cut flowers, too, but I also know that gracious livers are not always gracious. gracious living n. a way of life characterized by elegance, comfort and good taste. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > luxury or luxurious living > [noun] softnessOE voluptuositya1380 voluptuoustya1382 delicacya1393 deliciousnessa1500 volupteousness1526 niceness1540 nicety1542 wealiness1545 luxe1558 voluptibility1631 luxury1633 voluptuousness1652 volupté1712 decadence1882 gracious living1892 vie de luxe1920 good life1937 dolce vita1961 sweet life1962 the world > action or operation > behaviour > way of life > [noun] > specific > pleasant or unpleasant way of life gracious living1892 ungracious living1958 1892 Transcript (Boston, Mass.) in Literary News Dec. 366/1 Mrs. Austin's stories enable us to see a great deal of gracious living, and that, too, through an atmosphere of wonderful clearness and purity. 1945 Palestine Post 26 Oct. 7/6 American magazines..are all geared to some super-glamourized Gracious Living in relation to the opinion of the neighbours. 2009 Tampa Bay Mag. May 125/1 From its dock to the large chef's kitchen and breakfast nook, everything has been designed for gracious living. † gracious lord n. [after Middle French, French regional (Normandy) (rare) †gracieux seigneur (1552 in Middle French, in the passage translated in quot. 1694, whence 1611 in Cotgrave)] Obsolete rare a marine fish (not identified). ΚΠ 1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. lx. 236 Rock fish, Gracious Lords, Sword fish, [etc.]. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adj.adv.1340
随便看	to put the finger on to put the finger on a person to put the finishing hand stroke or touch to put the finishing hand to to put the finishing stroke or touch to put the fluence on to put the fool on to put the fool upon to put the fox in charge of the henhouse to put the frighteners in, on to put the fritz on something to put the frost on to put the frost on something to put the genie back in the bottle to put the hard word on to put the helm a-port to put the helm aport to put the hoodoo on to put the indian sign on to put the key under the door to put the kibosh on to put the knowledge of to put the last hand to to put the lid on to put the lug on