/greɪs; ˇres/
n
1 [U] quality of simple elegant beauty (esp in smoothly controlled movement) 优美（尤指动作顺畅协调）
*the grace with which a ballerina leaps into the air 芭蕾舞女演员腾空起舞的优美姿势.
2 [U] God's mercy and favour towards mankind; influence and result of this 上帝对人类的慈悲和恩典; 天恩的应验
*By the grace of God their lives were spared. 蒙上帝恩宠, 他们免于一死.
* Did he die in a state of grace? ie strengthened and inspired by God, esp after having been pardoned and given the Sacraments. 他临终是否曾蒙主感召?（尤指受到宽恕後行圣礼）
* (saying 谚) There, but for the grace of God, go I/we, ie sth equally bad might have happened to me/us. 你瞧, 若非天恩眷顾, 我[我们]也难幸免.
3 [U] extra time allowed to renew a licence, pay an insurance premium, etc after the day when it is due 宽限; 缓期
*have a couple of days' grace 有一两天的宽限期
* Payment is due today, but I gave her a week's grace, ie an extra week to pay. 今天付款到期, 但我给了她一个星期的宽限.
4 [U] favour; goodwill 恩惠; 善意
*He had been the king's favourite, and his sudden fall from grace surprised everyone. 他本是国王的幸臣, 一朝失宠众人无不感到意外.
* an act of grace, ie freely given, not taken as a right 恩惠（迳自施予的, 并非受者有此权利）.
5 [C usu pl 通常作复数] pleasing accomplishment 风度; 魅力; 长处; 才艺
*well-versed in the social graces 社交风度潇洒的.
6 [U, C] short prayer of thanks before or after a meal （饭前或饭後的）谢恩祈祷
*Father said
(a) grace. 父亲做了饭前谢恩祈祷.
7 His/Her/Your Grace [C] (used as a title when speaking to or of an archbishop, a duke or a duchess 用作称呼或提及大主教、公爵、公爵夫人、女公爵的尊称)
*Good morning, Your Grace! 大人, 早上好!
* Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Kent 肯特公爵及公爵夫人阁下.
8 the Graces [pl] (in Greek myth) three beautiful sister goddesses who gave beauty, charm and happiness to humans （希腊神话中）美惠三女神（赐予人类美丽、魅力和快乐者）.
9 (idm 习语) airs and graces => air1. have the grace to do sth be polite enough to do sth 出于礼貌而做某事
*He might have had the grace to say he was sorry! 他本可以出于礼貌说声抱歉的嘛! in sb's good `graces approved of and favoured by sb 为某人赞同和喜爱
*I'm not in her good graces at the moment. 我此刻尚未讨得她的欢心. a saving grace => save1. with
(a) bad/good `grace reluctantly and rudely/willingly and cheerfully 勉强而粗鲁地[欣然而情愿地]
*She apologized with
(a) bad grace. 她很勉强地道了歉.
* They withdrew their objections with as good a grace as they could manage. 他们极力装出情愿的样子撤回了反对意见. year of grace => year.

v
1 [Tn] decorate or adorn (sth) 修饰或装扮（某物）
*Fine paintings graced the walls of the room. 这些精美的绘画使四壁生辉.
2 [Tn, Tn.pr] ~ sb/sth (with sth) give honour or dignity to sb/sth 给某人[某事物]以荣耀或光彩
*The Queen is gracing us with her presence. 女王莅临使我们不胜荣幸.
* The occasion was graced by the presence of the Queen. 女王驾临使场面增辉.