2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Elegance \El"e*gance\, Elegancy \El"e*gan*cy\, n. [L. elegantia
fr elegans, -antis, elegant: cf F. ['e]l['e]gance.]
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.
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.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
elegance
n : a quality of refined gracefulness and good taste [ant: {inelegance}]
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