Grise

/ɡɹiːz/ · noun

Meaning

(obsolete) A step (in a flight of stairs); a degree..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete) A step (in a flight of stairs); a degree.
2. Alternative form of grice (a pig)

Example Sentences

Every grise of fortune / Is smoothed by that below.

Grice or Grise, a Swine (6ᵗʰ S. vi. 537) — This word is derived from O.N. griss, porcellus.

‘Grise,’ observe Nicolson and Burn, ‘is a common name for swine, and it may well seem to have taken its name from being frequented by wild boars, which are beasts of the forest. […] Swinedale,’ they add (probably in error), ‘may be so called from Wild Boars having frequented there ; as there are Grisedale, Boredale, Stybarrow, in the neighbouring parish of Barton ; and Wildboarfell

‘Grice’ was used to designate the young of the badger, because the male and female were known as the boar pig and the sow. […] So that from this it is perfectly clear that the word ‘grice’ or ‘grise,’ when used in connexion with badgers’ young, simply means the little badger pigs, and has nothing whatever to do with gris = grey.

Synonyms for grise

Antonyms for grise

Related Words

Word Forms

• grises
• greeze
• greese

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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