grand piano
    n 1: a piano with the strings on a horizontal harp-shaped frame;
         usually supported by three legs [syn: grand piano,
         grand]

Grand \Grand\ (gr[a^]nd), a. [Compar. Grander
   (gr[a^]nd"[~e]r); superl. Grandest.] [OE. grant, grount,
   OF. grant, F. grand, fr. L. grandis; perh. akin to gravis
   heavy, E. grave, a. Cf. Grandee.]
   1. Of large size or extent; great; extensive; hence,
      relatively great; greatest; chief; principal; as, a grand
      mountain; a grand army; a grand mistake. "Our grand foe,
      Satan." --Milton.
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            Making so bold . . . to unseal
            Their grand commission.               --Shak.
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   2. Great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or
      impression; illustrious, dignifled, or noble (said of
      persons); majestic, splendid, magnificent, or sublime
      (said of things); as, a grand monarch; a grand lord; a
      grand general; a grand view; a grand conception.
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            They are the highest models of expression, the
            unapproached
            masters of the grand style.           --M. Arnold.
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   3. Having higher rank or more dignity, size, or importance
      than other persons or things of the same name; as, a grand
      lodge; a grand vizier; a grand piano, etc.
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   4. Standing in the second or some more remote degree of
      parentage or descent; -- generalIy used in composition;
      as, grandfather, grandson, grandchild, etc.
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            What cause
            Mov'd our grand parents, in that happy state,
            Favor'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off
            From their Creator.                   --Milton.
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   Grand action, a pianoforte action, used in grand pianos, in
      which special devices are employed to obtain perfect
      action of the hammer in striking and leaving the string.
      

   Grand Army of the Republic, an organized voluntary
      association of men who served in the Union army or navy
      during the civil war in the United States. The order has
      chapters, called Posts, throughout the country.

   Grand paunch, a glutton or gourmand. [Obs.] --Holland.

   Grand pensionary. See under Pensionary.

   Grand piano (Mus.), a large piano, usually harp-shaped, in
      which the wires or strings are generally triplicated,
      increasing the power, and all the mechanism is introduced
      in the most effective manner, regardless of the size of
      the instrument.

   Grand relief (Sculp.), alto relievo.

   Grand Seignior. See under Seignior.

   Grand stand, the principal stand, or erection for
      spectators, at a, race course, etc.

   Grand vicar (Eccl.), a principal vicar; an ecclesiastical
      delegate in France.

   Grand vizier. See under Vizier.

   Syn: Magnificent; sublime; majestic; dignified; elevated;
        stately; august; pompous; lofty; eralted; noble.

   Usage: Grand, Magnificent, Sublime. Grand, in reference to
          objects of taste, is applied to that which expands the
          mind by a sense of vastness and majesty; magnificent
          is applied to anything which is imposing from its
          splendor; sublime describes that which is awful and
          elevating. A cataract is grand; a rich and varied
          landscape is magnificent; an overhanging precipice is
          sublime. "Grandeur admits of degrees and
          modifications; but magnificence is that which has
          already reached the highest degree of superiority
          naturally belonging to the object in question."
          --Crabb.
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Piano \Pi*an"o\, Pianoforte \Pi*an"o*for`te\, n. [It. piano soft
   (fr. L. planus even, smooth; see Plain, a.) + It. forte
   strong, fr. L. fortis (see Fort).] (Mus.)
   A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the
   harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated
   length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by
   keys.
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   Dumb piano. See Digitorium.

   Grand piano. See under Grand.

   Square piano, one with a horizontal frame and an oblong
      case.

   Upright piano, one with an upright frame and vertical
      wires.
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