(n.) A graded ascending, descending, or level portion of a road; a gradient.
(n.) A harsh scraping or cutting; a grating.
(n.) A step or degree in any series, rank, quality, order; relative position or standing; as, grades of military rank; crimes of every grade; grades of flour.
(n.) The rate of ascent or descent; gradient; deviation from a level surface to an inclined plane; -- usually stated as so many feet per mile, or as one foot rise or fall in so many of horizontal distance; as, a heavy grade; a grade of twenty feet per mile, or of 1 in 264.
(n.) The result of crossing a native stock with some better breed. If the crossbreed have more than three fourths of the better blood, it is called high grade.
(v. t.) To arrange in order, steps, or degrees, according to size, quality, rank, etc.
(v. t.) To cross with some better breed; to improve the blood of.
(v. t.) To reduce to a level, or to an evenly progressive ascent, as the line of a canal or road.