Main Entry:

¹great

Pronunciation:

\ˈgrāt, Southern also ˈgre(ə)t\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English grete, from Old English grēat; akin to Old High German grōz large

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: notably large in size : huge b: of a kind characterized by relative largeness —used in plant and animal names c: elaborate, ample <great detail>2 a: large in number or measure : numerous <great multitudes> b: predominant <the great majority>3: remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness <great bloodshed>4: full of emotion <great with anger>5 a: eminent, distinguished <a great poet> b: chief or preeminent over others —often used in titles <Lord Great Chamberlain> c: aristocratic, grand <great ladies>6: long continued <a great while>7: principal, main <a reception in the great hall>8: more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative <great-grandfather>9: markedly superior in character or quality ; especially : noble <great of soul>10 a: remarkably skilled <great at tennis> b: marked by enthusiasm : keen <great on science fiction>11—used as a generalized term of approval <had a great time><it was just great>

— great·ness noun