Grail
(Grail) n. [OF. greel, LL. gradale. See Gradual, n.] A book of offices in the Roman Catholic
Church; a gradual. [Obs.] T. Warton.
Such as antiphonals, missals, grails, processionals, etc.
Strype. Grail
(Grail), n. [OF. graal, greal, greet, F. graal, gréal, LL. gradalis, gradale, prob. derived fr. L.
crater bowl, mixing vessel, Gr. krath`r. See Crater.] A broad, open dish; a chalice; — only used of the
Holy Grail.
The Holy Grail, according to some legends of the Middle Ages, was the cup used by our Savior in dispensing
the wine at the last supper; and according to others, the platter on which the paschal lamb was served at
the last Passover observed by our Lord. This cup, according to the legend, if appoached by any but a
perfectly pure and holy person, would be borne away and vanish from the sight. The quest of the Holy
Grail was to be undertaken only by a knight who was perfectly chaste in thought, word, and act.
Grail
(Grail), n. [F. grêle hail, from grÉs grit, OHG. griex, grioz, G. gries, gravel, grit. See Grit.] Small
particles of earth; gravel. [Obs.]
Lying down upon the sandy grail.
Spenser. Grail
(Grail) n. [Cf. OF. graite slender, F. grête.] One of the small feathers of a hawk.
Graille
(Graille) n. [Cf. F. grêle a sort of file.] A halfround single-cut file or fioat, having one curved
face and one straight face, — used by comb makers. Knight.
Grain
(Grain), v. & n. See Groan. [Obs.]
Grain
(Grain) n. [F. grain, L. granum, grain, seed, small kernel, small particle. See Corn, and cf. Garner,
n., Garnet, Gram the chick-pea, Granule, Kernel.]
1. A single small hard seed; a kernel, especially of those plants, like wheat, whose seeds are used for
food.
2. The fruit of certain grasses which furnish the chief food of man, as corn, wheat, rye, oats, etc., or the
plants themselves; — used collectively.
Storehouses crammed with grain.
Shak. 3. Any small, hard particle, as of sand, sugar, salt, etc.; hence, any minute portion or particle; as, a grain
of gunpowder, of pollen, of starch, of sense, of wit, etc.
I . . . with a grain of manhood well resolved.
Milton. 4. The unit of the English system of weights; — so called because considered equal to the average of
grains taken from the middle of the ears of wheat. 7,000 grains constitute the pound avoirdupois, and
5,760 grains the pound troy. A grain is equal to .0648 gram. See Gram.
5. A reddish dye made from the coccus insect, or kermes; hence, a red color of any tint or hue, as crimson,
scarlet, etc.; sometimes used by the poets as equivalent to Tyrian purple.
All in a robe of darkest grain.
Milton.
Doing as the dyers do, who, having first dipped their silks in colors of less value, then give' them the last
tincture of crimson in grain.
Quoted by Coleridge, preface to Aids to Reflection.
