adjective graver grav′·er, gravest grav′·est

1. 1. requiring serious thought; important; weighty grave doubts
   2. not light or trifling in nature or in consequence; grievous a grave sin
2. 1. seriously threatening health, well-being, or life; critical; dangerous a grave illness
   2. seriously contrary to what is right or desirable; extremely bad a grave fault
   3. Theol. so evil as to cause spiritual death; mortal a grave sin
3. dignified and solemn or sedate in manner or mien
4. somber; dull grave colors
5. low or deep in pitch

Etymology: Fr < L gravis, heavy, weighty < IE base *gwer-, heavy, mill > quern, Gr barys, heavy, Sans gurúh, grave

noun

1. 1. a hole in the ground in which to bury a dead body
   2. any place of burial; tomb
2. final end or death; extinction

Etymology: ME < OE græf (akin to OFris gref, Ger grab) < base of grafan, to dig: see gravethe

transitive verb graved, graven grav′en or graved, graving grav′·ing

1. Obsolete
   1. to dig
   2. to bury
2. Archaic
   1. to shape by carving; sculpture
   2. to engrave; incise
3. to impress sharply and clearly; fix permanently

Etymology: ME graven < OE grafan; akin to Ger graben < IE base *ghrebh-, to scratch, scrape

transitive verb graved, graving grav′·ing

Etymology: ME graven, prob. < OFr grave (Fr grève), beach, coarse sand (see gravel): ships were orig. beached for cleaning the hulls

adjective, adverb

Etymology: It