great

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great / grāt/ • adj. 1. of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the normal or average: the article was of great interest she showed great potential as an actor. ∎  very large and imposing: a great ocean between them. ∎  used to reinforce another adjective of size or extent: a great big grin. ∎  used to express surprise, admiration, or contempt, esp. in exclamations: you great oaf! ∎  (also greater) used in names of animals or plants that are larger than similar kinds, e.g., great auk, greater flamingo. ∎  (Greater) (of a city) including adjacent urban areas: Greater Cleveland. 2. of ability, quality, or eminence considerably above the normal or average: the great Italian conductor we obeyed our great men and leaders great art has the power to change lives. ∎  (the Great) a title denoting the most important person of the name: Alexander the Great. ∎ inf. very good or satisfactory; excellent: this has been another great year what a great guy wouldn't it be great to have him back?| [as interj.] “Great!” said Tom. ∎  inf. (of a person) very skilled or capable in a particular area: a brilliant man, great at mathematics. 3. denoting the element of something that is the most important or the most worthy of consideration: the great thing is the challenge. ∎  used to indicate that someone or something particularly deserves a specified description: I was a great fan of Hank's. 4. [in comb.] (in names of family relationships) denoting one degree further removed upward or downward: great-aunt great-granddaughter great-great-grandfather. • n. 1. a great or distinguished person: the Beatles, Bob Dylan, all the greats. ∎  [as pl. n.] (the great) great people collectively: the lives of the great, including Churchill and Newton. 2. (Greats) Brit., inf. another term for literae humaniores. • adv. inf. excellently; very well: we played awful, they played great. PHRASES: great and small of all sizes, classes, or types: all creatures great and small. a great dealsee deal¹ . a great manysee many. a great one for a habitual doer of; an enthusiast for: my father was a great one for buying gadgets. Great Scott! expressing surprise or amazement. to a great extent in a substantial way; largely: we are all to a great extent the product of our culture.

great (dial.) thick, coarse, bulky; large, of considerable size OE.; pregnant XII; important, eminent XIII. OE. grēat = OS. grōt (Du. groot), OHG. grōz (G. gross) :- WGmc. *ʒrautaz, of unkn. orig. The use of the adj. to designate persons one degree further removed in ascending or descending relationship is after the use of F. grand.
Hence greatly XII, greatness late OE.

Great as affix, see main name, e.g. for Great Abington (Cambs.) see Abington.

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