from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Elegance \El"e*gance\, Elegancy \El"e*gan*cy\, n. [L. elegantia,
fr. elegans, -antis, elegant: cf. F. ['e]l['e]gance.]
1. The state or quality of being elegant; beauty as resulting
from choice qualities and the complete absence of what
deforms or impresses unpleasantly; grace given by art or
practice; fine polish; refinement; -- said of manners,
language, style, form, architecture, etc.
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That grace that elegance affords. --Drayton.
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The endearing elegance of female friendship.
--Johnson.
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A trait of native elegance, seldom seen in the
masculine character after childhood or early youth,
was shown in the General's fondness for the sight
and fragrance of flowers. --Hawthorne.
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2. That which is elegant; that which is tasteful and highly
attractive.
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The beautiful wildness of nature, without the nicer
elegancies of art. --Spectator.
Syn: {Elegance}, {Grace}. Elegance implies something of a
select style of beauty, which is usually produced by
art, skill, or training; as, elegance of manners,
composition, handwriting, etc.; elegant furniture; an
elegant house, etc. Grace, as the word is here used,
refers to bodily movements, and is a lower order of
beauty. It may be a natural gift; thus, the manners of a
peasant girl may be graceful, but can hardly be called
elegant.
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