Search results for 'grade':

grade noun 1 a stage or level on a scale of quality, rank, size, etc. 2 a mark indicating this. 3 N Amer, especially US a a particular class or year in school; b the level of work taught in it; c as adj • grade school. 4 a slope or gradient. 5 in stock-breeding: a an improved variety of animal produced by crossing usually a native animal with one of purer breed; b as adj • grade lambs. verb (graded, grading) 1 to arrange (things or people) in different grades. 2 to award a mark indicating grade, eg on a piece of written work, essay, etc. 3 to produce a gradual blending or merging of (especially colours). 4 to adjust the gradients of (a road or railway). 5 intrans to pass gradually from one grade, level, value, etc to another. make the grade colloq to succeed; to reach the required or expected standard.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c in obsolete mathematical sense 'degree': from Latin gradus step.