Part 574

Grab, n. 1. A sudden grasp or seizure.

2. An instrument for clutching objects for the purpose of raising them; -- specially applied to devices for withdrawing drills, etc., from artesian and other wells that are drilled, bored, or driven.

Grab bag, at fairs, a bag or box holding small articles which are to be drawn, without being seen, on payment of a small sum. [Colloq.] -- Grab game, a theft committed by grabbing or snatching a purse or other piece of property. [Colloq.]

Grab"ber (?), n. One who seizes or grabs.

Grab"ble (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Grabbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Grabbling (&?;).] [Freq. of grab; cf. D. grabbelen.] 1. To grope; to feel with the hands.

He puts his hands into his pockets, and keeps a grabbling and fumbling.

Selden.

2. To lie prostrate on the belly; to sprawl on the ground; to grovel. Ainsworth.

Grace (?), n. [F. gr‚ce, L. gratia, from gratus beloved, dear, agreeable; perh. akin to Gr. &?; to rejoice, &?; favor, grace, Skr. hary to desire, and E. yearn. Cf. Grateful, Gratis.] 1. The exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor; disposition to benefit or serve another; favor bestowed or privilege conferred.

To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee.

Milton.

2. (Theol.) The divine favor toward man; the mercy of God, as distinguished from His justice; also, any benefits His mercy imparts; divine love or pardon; a state of acceptance with God; enjoyment of the divine favor.

And if by grace, then is it no more of works.

Rom. xi. 6.

My grace is sufficicnt for thee.

2 Cor. xii. 9.

Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

Rom. v. 20.

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.

Rom. v.2

3. (Law) (a) The prerogative of mercy execised by the executive, as pardon. (b) The same prerogative when exercised in the form of equitable relief through chancery.

4. Fortune; luck; -- used commonly with hard or sorry when it means misfortune. [Obs.] Chaucer.

5. Inherent excellence; any endowment or characteristic fitted to win favor or confer pleasure or benefit.

He is complete in feature and in mind. With all good grace to grace a gentleman.

Shak.

I have formerly given the general character of Mr. Addison's style and manner as natural and unaffected, easy and polite, and full of those graces which a flowery imagination diffuses over writing.

Blair.

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