grail Meaning, Definition & Usage

OF. greel, LL. gradale. See Gradual, n.

A book of offices in the Roman Catholic Church; a gradual. Obs. T. Warton.
Such as antiphonals, missals, grails, processionals, etc. Strype.

OF. graal, greal, greet, F. graal, gr?al, LL. gradalis, gradale, prob. derived fr. L. crater bowl, mixing vessel, Gr. krath`r. See Crater.

A broad, open dish; a chalice; -- only used of the Holy Grail. ✍The Holy Grail, according to some legends of the Middle Ages, was the cup used by our Savior in dispensing the wine at the last supper; and according to others, the platter on which the paschal lamb was served at the last Passover observed by our Lord. This cup, according to the legend, if appoached by any but a perfectly pure and holy person, would be borne away and vanish from the sight. The quest of the Holy Grail was to be undertaken only by a knight who was perfectly chaste in thought, word, and act.

F. gr≖le hail, from grÉs grit, OHG. griex, grioz, G. gries, gravel, grit. See Grit.

Small particles of earth; gravel. Obs.
Lying down upon the sandy grail. Spenser.