of movement
1 [U] an attractive quality of movement that is smooth, elegant and controlled:
She moves with the natural grace of a ballerina.
behaviour
2 [U] a quality of behaviour that is polite and pleasant and deserves respect:
He conducted himself with grace and dignity throughout the trial.
3 (graces) [pl.] (especially BrE) ways of behaving that people think are polite and acceptable:
He was not particularly well versed in the social graces.
extra time
4 [U] extra time that is given to sb to enable them to pay a bill, finish a piece of work, etc:
They've given me a month's grace to get the money.
of god
5 [U] the kindness that God shows towards the human race:
the power of divine grace * It was only by the grace of God that they survived.
prayer
6 [U,C] a short prayer that is usually said before a meal to thank God for the food:
Let's say grace.
title
7 (His / Her / Your Grace) [C] used as a title of respect when talking to or about an ARCHBISHOP, a DUKE or a DUCHESS:
Good Morning, Your Grace. * Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Kent.
seealsoCOUPDEGRaCE, SAVINGGRACE
IDIOMS
be in sb's good graces (formal) to have sb's approval and be liked by them
fall from grace to lose the trust or respect that people have for you, especially by doing sth wrong or immoral
sb's fall from grace a situation in which sb loses the trust or respect that people have for them, especially because of sth wrong or immoral that they have done:
The biography explains the circumstances surrounding her fall from grace.
have the (good) grace to do sth to be polite enough to do sth, especially when you have done sth wrong:
He didn't even have the grace to look embarrassed.
there but for the grace of God (go I) (saying) used to say that you could easily have been in the same difficult or unpleasant situation that sb else is in
with (a) bad grace in an unwilling and/or rude way:
He handed over the money with typical bad grace.
with (a) good grace in a willing and pleasant way:
You must learn to accept defeat with good grace.
moreatAIRn., STATEn., YEAR
verb [VN] (formal)
1 to make sth more attractive; to decorate sth:
The table had once graced a duke's drawing room. * We sat at a small table graced with a vase of fresh flowers.
2 ~ sb/sth (with sth) (usually ironic) to bring honour to sb/sth; to be kind enough to attend or take part in sth:
She is one of the finest players ever to have graced the game. * Will you be gracing us with your presence tonight? * The occasion was graced by the presence of Lord and Lady Thomson.
