Of a person: distinguished by admirable or commendable qualities; worthy, estimable, fine. As a conventional epithet prefixed to a title, used in…

Now usually with capital initial. As an honorific title for people or bodies of distinguished rank or importance. Formerly used widely, but now…

the Great used postpositively. Chiefly literary. Following a name of God or a god.

Of a person or place: distinguished, prominent; famous, renowned. Only as the Grand, following a name; = great, adj. 13b(c) great, adj. 17c. Now rare.

Used as an official or courtesy title or form of address, esp. for certain high officials, the children of certain ranks of the peerage, and MPs…

Applied to a peer below the rank of marquess, or (occasionally) the sons and daughters of a peer holding a courtesy title. Cf. honourable, adj. 5a.

Chiefly in official titles: chief over others with the same general title; highest in rank or office. Now chiefly with reference to foreign…

= honourable, adj. 5. Now chiefly South Asian.

As a graphic abbreviation: = honourable, adj. 5a. Chiefly with the.

As a graphic abbreviation: = Right Honourable, adj. (in either sense). Cf. Rt. Hon., adj.

As a graphic abbreviation: = Right Honourable, adj. (chiefly in sense 2). Cf. Right Hon., adj.

Of a person, personal attribute, etc.: characterized by greatness of achievement or by conduct befitting high position. Now only in the Magnificent…