grace
• noun 1 elegance of movement. 2 courteous good will: she had the grace to look sheepish. 3 (graces) attractive qualities or behaviour: a horrible character with no saving graces. 4 (in Christian belief) the free and unearned favour of God. 5 a person’s favour. 6 a period officially allowed for fulfilment of an obligation. 7 a short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal. 8 (His, Her, or Your Grace) used as forms of description or address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop. • verb 1 lend honour to by one’s presence. 2 be an attractive presence in or on. — PHRASES be in someone’s good (or bad) graces be regarded by someone with favour (or disfavour). the (Three) Graces Greek Mythology three beautiful goddesses, daughters of Zeus, believed to personify and bestow charm, grace, and beauty. with good (or bad) grace in a willing (or reluctant) manner. — ORIGIN Latin gratia, from gratus ‘pleasing, thankful’.
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