Gross

biographical name

ˈgrōs 

David J(onathan) 1941–     American physicist

Kids Definition

gross

1 of 4 adjective

ˈgrōs 

1

a

: very obvious : glaring

a gross error

b

: shameful sense 1

gross injustice

2

: big entry 1 sense 2a, bulky

especially : excessively fat

3

: consisting of a whole before any deductions

gross earnings

4

: coarse sense 5, vulgar

gross language

5

informal : causing disgust or distaste

grossly adverb

grossness noun

gross

2 of 4 noun

: a whole before any deductions

gross

3 of 4 verb

: to earn before deductions

grossed $50,000 before taxes

gross

4 of 4 noun

plural gross

: 12 dozen

a gross of pencils

Etymology

Middle English gros, gross "large, thick, easy to see or understand," from early French gros "thick, coarse," from Latin grossus (same meaning)

Middle English gros "a group of 12 dozen," probably from early French grosse "sum, whole," derived from gros "thick"

Medical Definition

gross

adjective

ˈgrōs 

1

a

: glaringly or flagrantly obvious

b

: visible without the aid of a microscope : macroscopic

gross lesions

compare occult

2

: growing or spreading with excessive or abnormal luxuriance

3

: of, relating to, or dealing with general aspects or broad distinctions

important to understand the gross behavior of the sexually responding animal

—A. C. Kinsey

grossly adverb

Legal Definition

gross

1 of 3 adjective

ˈgrōs 

1

: flagrant or extreme especially in badness or offensiveness : of very blameworthy character

a gross violation of the rules of ethics

a gross abuse of trust

2

: consisting of an overall total exclusive of deductions

gross annual earnings

compare net

grossly adverb

grossness noun

gross

2 of 3 noun

: overall total exclusive of deductions

gross

3 of 3 transitive verb

: to earn or bring in (an overall total) exclusive of deductions (as for taxes or expenses)

Etymology

Middle English, immediately obvious, from Middle French gros thick, coarse, from Latin grossus