(French.)
1. A degree or rank in order or dignity, civil, military, or ecclesiastical.
2. A step or degree in any ascending series; as, 'crimes of every grade.'--Webster.
This word is of comparatively modern use. It is not in the English dictionaries previous to Todd's edition of Johnson in 1818. Mr. Todd calls it "a word brought forward in some modern pamphlets," and says "it will hardly be adopted." Mr. Richardson says the word "has crept into frequent use." Mr. Knowles in the ninth edition of his dictionary introduces the word as once belonging to the language, without comment. The British Critic and other reviews have criticised the word as an unauthorized Americanism; but, as we have seen, it has been adopted at last by the English themselves.
While questions, periods, and grades and privileges are never once formally discussed.--S. Miller.
To talents of the highest grade he [Hamilton] united a patient industry not always the companion of genius.--Marshall's Life of Washington, p. 213.
TO GRADE
To reduce to a certain degree of ascent or descent, as a road or way.-Webster.
This use of the verb is not noticed by any English lexicographer.