Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun One of a series of steps or seats raised one above another.
  • noun An altar-ledge or altar-shelf; one of the steps, ledges, or shelves above and back of an altar, on which the altar-cross or crucifix, flower-vases, candlesticks, etc., are placed.
  • noun A toothed chisel used by sculptors.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Arch.) Any member like a step, as the raised back of an altar or the like; a set raised over another.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Any of a series of terraced steps or seats, as in an arena or an altar.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • They're collectin 'gradin'-camp drivers an' mule-skinners all up an 'down the state.

    CHAPTER X 2010

  • They're collectin 'gradin'-camp drivers an' mule-skinners all up an 'down the state.

    Chapter 10 1913

  • Meantime, we can't start clearin 'or gradin' or nuthin '.

    Hoot Hiaasen, Carl 2002

  • We freely admit they's a few onconsequential improvements which is possessed by some bigger an 'more notorious cities such as sidewalks, sewers, street-gradin', an 'lights that we hain't got yet.

    The Texan A Story of the Cattle Country 1921

  • "Looks like somebudy's been high-gradin 'this here pie."

    The Man from the Bitter Roots Caroline Lockhart 1916

  • And he can sleep longer and harder and louder than a corral of gradin 'mules on Saturday night!

    Overland Red A Romance of the Moonstone Cañon Trail Henry Herbert Knibbs 1909

  • Scratching his head meditatively, he said: "An 'all because av me wantin' to enjoy the blessin's an 'advantages av civilization agin afther three long months in that danged gradin' camp, as is the right av ivery healthy man wid his pay in his pocket."

    The Winning of Barbara Worth Harold Bell Wright 1908

  • And knowin 'I'd been high-gradin' on him, he kep 'this find to' imself.

    The She Boss A Western Story Arthur Preston Hankins 1906

  • They was gradin 'and choppin' out the forests ahead to continue the road.

    Cabbages and Kings 1904

  • Page 197 of Providence for settin 'the warlike talent of a Clancy to gradin' the tropics with a pick and shovel.

    Cabbages and Kings 1904

Comments

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  • /ˈgreɪdɪn; Fr. graˈdɛ̃/

    1. one of a series of steps or seats raised one above another.

    2. Ecclesiastical. a shelf or one of a series of shelves behind and above an altar.

    -- dictionary.com

    September 30, 2008