n.
1 a a trench dug in the ground to receive a coffin on burial. b a mound or memorial stone placed over this.
2 (prec. by the) death, esp. as indicating mortal finality.
3 something compared to or regarded as a grave.
Phrases and idioms:
turn in one's grave (of a dead person) be thought of in certain circumstances as likely to have been shocked or angry when alive.
Derivatives:
graveless adj. graveward adv. & adj.
Etymology: OE graeligf f. WG
2.
adj. & n.
—adj.
1 a serious, weighty, important (a grave matter). b dignified, solemn, sombre (a grave look).
2 extremely serious or threatening (grave danger).
3 (of sound) low-pitched, not acute.
—n. = grave accent.
Phrases and idioms:
grave accent a mark (`) placed over a vowel in some languages to denote pronunciation, length, etc., orig. indicating low or falling pitch.
Derivatives:
gravely adv. graveness n.
Etymology: F grave or L gravis heavy, serious
3.
v.tr. (past part. graven or graved)
1 (foll. by in, on) fix indelibly (on one's memory).
2 archaic engrave, carve.
Phrases and idioms:
graven image an idol.
Etymology: OE grafan dig, engrave f. Gmc: cf. GROOVE
4.
v.tr. clean (a ship's bottom) by burning off accretions and by tarring.
Phrases and idioms:
graving dock = dry dock.
Etymology: perh. F dial. grave = OF greve shore
Useful english dictionary. 2012.