ɡreɪd n. & v. --n. 1 a a
certain degree in rank,
merit, proficiency,
quality, etc. b a
class of persons or things of
the same grade. 2 a a mark indicating the quality of a student's
work. b an
examination,
esp. in
music. 3 US a class in school,
concerned with a
particular year's work
and usu. numbered
from the
first upwards. 4 a a
gradient or
slope. b the rate of
ascent or
descent. 5 a a
variety of
cattle produced by
crossing native stock with a
superior breed. b a
group of animals at a
similar level of
development. 6 Philol. a
relative position in a
series of forms involving
ablaut. --v. 1 tr.
arrange in or
allocate to grades; class,
sort. 2 intr. (foll. by
up, down,
off,
into, etc.) pass gradually
between grades, or into a grade. 3 tr.
give a grade to (a student). 4 tr.
blend so as to affect the grade of
colour with tints
passing into
each other. 5 tr.
reduce (a road etc.) to
easy gradients. 6 tr. (often foll. by up)
cross (livestock) with a better breed. øat grade US on the same level. grade crossing US = level crossing. grade school US
elementary school.
make the grade colloq.
succeed;
reach the desired
standard. [F grade or L gradus step]
