Word Study
grail
CIDE DICTIONARY
A book of offices in the Roman Catholic Church; a gradual. T. Warton. [1913 Webster]
"Such as antiphonals, missals, grails, processionals, etc." [1913 Webster]
grail, n. [OF. graal, greal, greet, F. graal, gréal, LL. gradalis, gradale, prob. derived fr. L. crater bowl, mixing vessel, Gr. krath`r. See Crater.].
A broad, open dish; a chalice; -- only used of the Holy Grail . [1913 Webster]
"The Holy Grail, according to some legends of the Middle Ages, was the cup used by our Savior in dispensing the wine at the last supper; and according to others, the platter on which the paschal lamb was served at the last Passover observed by our Lord. This cup, according to the legend, if appoached by any but a perfectly pure and holy person, would be borne away and vanish from the sight. The quest of the Holy Grail was to be undertaken only by a knight who was perfectly chaste in thought, word, and act." [1913 Webster]
grail, n. [F. gr hail, from grÉs grit, OHG. griex, grioz, G. gries, gravel, grit. See Grit.].
Small particles of earth; gravel. [1913 Webster]
"Lying down upon the sandy grail." [1913 Webster]
grail, n. [Cf. OF. graite slender, F. gr.].
One of the small feathers of a hawk. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
grail, n. (in full Holy Grail)
1 (in medieval legend) the cup or platter used by Christ at the Last Supper, and in which Joseph of Arimathea received Christ's blood at the Cross, esp. as the object of quests by medieval knights.
2 any object of a quest.
1 (in medieval legend) the cup or platter used by Christ at the Last Supper, and in which Joseph of Arimathea received Christ's blood at the Cross, esp. as the object of quests by medieval knights.
2 any object of a quest.
Etymology
ME f. OF graal etc. f. med.L gradalis dish, of unkn. orig.
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