| Elegancy | { } n. [ L. elegantia, fr. elegans, -antis, elegant: cf. F. élégance. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] That grace that elegance affords. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ] The endearing elegance of female friendship. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That which is elegant; that which is tasteful and highly attractive. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Variants: Elegance |
