greatGREAT, a. [L. crassus.] 10. Possessing large or strong powers of mind; as a great genius. 11. Having made extensive or unusual acquisitions of science or knowledge; as a great philosopher or botanist; a great scholar. 12. Distinguished by rank, office or power; elevated; eminent; as a great lord; the great men of the nation; the great Mogul; Alexander the great. 13. Dignified in aspect,mien or manner. 14. Magnanimous; generous; of elevated sentiments; high-minded. He has a great soul. 15. Rich; sumptuous; magnificent. He disdained not to appear at great tables. A great feast or entertainment. 16. Vast; sublime; as a great conception or idea. 17. Dignified; noble. 18. Swelling; proud; as, he was not disheartened by great looks. 19. Chief; principal; much traveled; as a great road. The ocean is called the great highway of nations. 20. Pregnant; teeming; as great with young. 21. Hard; difficult. It is no great matter to live in peace with meek people. 22. Familiar; intimate. [Vulgar.] 23. Distinguished by extraordinary events, or unusual importance. Jude 6. 24. Denoting a degree of consanguinity, in the ascending or descending line, as great grandfather, the father of a grandfather; great great grandfather, the father of a great grandfather, and so on indefinitely; and great grandson, great great grandson. &c. 25. Superior; preeminent; as great chamberlain; great marshal. The sense of great is to be understood by the things it is intended to qualify. Great pain or wrath is violent pain or wrath; great love is ardent love; great peace is entire peace; a great name is extensive renown; a great evil or sin, is a sin of deep malignity, &c. GREAT, n. The whole; the gross; the lump or mass; as, a carpenter contracts to build a ship by the great. |