gray

gray
gray (adj.) O.E. græg (Mercian grei), from P.Gmc. *grisja- "gray" (Cf. O.N. grar, O.Fris. gre, M.Du. gra, Du. graw, O.H.G. grao, Ger. grau), with no certain cognates outside Germanic. French gris, Sp. gris, It. grigio, M.L. griseus are Germanic loan-words.
The distinction between British grey and U.S. gray developed 20c. The noun is c.1200, from the adjective. Gray as figurative for "Southern troops in the U.S. Civil War" is first recorded 1863, in reference to their uniform color. Expression the gray mare is the better horse in reference to households ruled by wives is recorded from 1540s. The verb is 1610s (with an isolated instance from late 14c.). Related: Grayed; graying.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • gray — gray …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • Gray — puede referirse a: Contenido 1 Apellido 1.1 Personajes 1.1.1 Botánicos[1] 2 Divisiones administrativas …   Wikipedia Español

  • Gray — (gr[=a]), a. [Compar. {Grayer}; superl. {Grayest}.] [OE. gray, grey, AS. gr[=ae]g, gr[=e]g; akin to D. graauw, OHG. gr[=a]o, G. grau, Dan. graa, Sw. gr[*a], Icel. gr[=a]r.] [Written also {grey}.] 1. any color of neutral hue between white and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gray — 〈[grɛı] n. 15; 〉 Einheit für die Energiedosis ionisierender Strahlen, 1 Gy = 1 J/kg = 100 rad [nach dem amerikan. Physiker Louis Harold Gray, 1905 1965] * * * Gray [greɪ; nach dem brit. Physiker L. H. Gray (1905–1965)], das; s; Einheitenzeichen:… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • gray — [ grɛ ] n. m. • 1975; de Stephen Gray ♦ Métrol. Unité de mesure de dose absorbée de radiation (symb.Gy) communiquant à 1 kg de matière irradiée une énergie de 1 joule. ⇒ rad. ⊗ HOM. Grès. ● gray nom masculin (de Louis Harold Gray, nom propre)… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • GRAY (T.) — GRAY THOMAS (1716 1771) Solitaire et mélancolique, grand admirateur de la nature «sauvage», Thomas Gray, l’un des grands noms de la poésie anglaise du XVIIIe siècle, manifesta aussi un intérêt profond pour les littératures celtique et nordique,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Gray — Gray, GA U.S. city in Georgia Population (2000): 1811 Housing Units (2000): 713 Land area (2000): 2.418527 sq. miles (6.263956 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.009479 sq. miles (0.024550 sq. km) Total area (2000): 2.428006 sq. miles (6.288506 sq. km) …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Gray — /gray/, n. 1. Asa /ay seuh/, 1810 88, U.S. botanist. 2. Thomas, 1716 71, English poet. * * * (as used in expressions) gray fox Gray Asa Gray Thomas Otis Harrison Gray Anne Gray Harvey * * * ▪ physics       unit of absorbed dose of i …   Universalium

  • gray — gray; gray·ish; gray·ling; gray·ness; gray·son; gray·wacke; gray·ly; ti·gray; …   English syllables

  • gray — gray1 [grā] adj. [ME grai < OE græg, akin to Ger grau < IE base * ĝher , to shine, gleam > Czech zříti, to see] 1. of a color that is a mixture or blend of black and white 2. a) darkish; dull b) dreary; dismal 3 …   English World dictionary

  • Gray — (gr[=a]), n. 1. A gray color; any mixture of white and black; also, a neutral or whitish tint. [1913 Webster] 2. An animal or thing of gray color, as a horse, a badger, or a kind of salmon. [1913 Webster] Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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