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A fixed point of time, established in history by the occurrence of some grand or remarkable event; a point of time marked by an event of great subsequent influence; as, the epoch of the creation; the birth of Christ was the epoch which gave rise to the Christian era. In divers ages, . . . divers epochs of time were use…

t which is had or taken by one side or party in the absence of the other. Hearings before grand juries, and affidavits, are ex parte. Wharton's Law Dict. Burrill.

One who, or that which, excites. Hope is the grand exciter of industry. Dr. H. More.

d; a specimen; sometimes; an ideal model or type, as that which an artist conceives. Such grand exemplar as make their own abilities the sole measure of what is fit or unfit. South.

or condition; hence, remarkable; uncommon; rare; wonderful; as, extraordinary talents or grandeur.

A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair.

A festive or joyous meal; a grand, ceremonious, or sumptuous entertainment, of which many guests partake; a banquet characterized by tempting variety and abundance of food. Enough is as good as a feast. Old Proverb. Belshazzar the King made a great feast to a thousand of his lords. Dan. v. 1.

A grand piano or a harpsichord, both being wing-shaped.

on their circuit, arrive at the place for holding court, and for discharging any whom the grand jury fail to indict. [Eng.] -- Gaol delivery. (Law) See Jail delivery, under Jail.

A large door or passageway in the wall of a city, of an inclosed field or place, or of a grand edifice, etc.; also, the movable structure of timber, metal, etc., by which the passage can be closed.

ander of an army; especially, the commander in chief of an army consisting of two or more grand divisions under separate commanders; -- a title used in most foreign countries.

Pertaining to deeds or feats of arms; legendary. And the gay grandsire, skilled in gestic lore. Goldsmith.

To make red with drinking. [Obs.] This grand liquior that hath gilded them. Shak.

A grandam. [Colloq.]

A grandmother; a grandam; familiarly, an old woman. Granny's bend, or Granny's knot (Naut.), a kind of insecure knot or hitch; a reef knot crossed the wrong way.

To make great; to aggrandize; to cause to increase in size; to expand. [R.] A minister's [business] is to greaten and exalt [his king]. Ken.

ievance; one who gives ground for complaint. [Obs.] Petition . . . against the bishops as grand grievancers. Fuller.

A harp-shaped instrument of music set horizontally on legs, like the grand piano, with strings of wire, played by the fingers, by means of keys provided with quills, instead of hammers, for striking the strings. It is now superseded by the piano.

One of the grand divisions or branches of the animal kingdom. It is a large group including a vast number of species, most of which are parasitic. Called also Enthelminthes, Enthelmintha.

Very abstract; difficult to comprehend or surmount; grand; noble. Both meet to hear and answer such high things. Shak. Plain living and high thinking are no more. Wordsworth.