01 n. The state or quality of being elegant; beauty as resulting from choice qualities and the complete absence of what deforms or impresses unpl…
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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.“That grace that elegance affords.” — Drayton.“The endearing elegance of female friendship.” — Johnson.“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.“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.