[ɡreɪd], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a particular level of rank, quality, proficiency, or value
(e.g: sea salt is usually available in coarse or fine grades)

- a mark indicating the quality of a student's work
(e.g: I got good grades last semester)

- a gradient or slope
(e.g: just over the crest of a long seven per cent grade)

- a variety of cattle produced by crossing with a superior breed
(e.g: grade stock)


Phrases:
- at grade
- make the grade

Origin:
early 16th century: from French, or from Latin gradus ‘step’. Originally used as a unit of measurement of angles (a degree of arc), the term later referred to degrees of merit or quality

[ɡreɪd], (Verb)

Definitions:
- arrange in or allocate to grades; classify or sort
(e.g: the timber is graded according to its thickness)

- give a mark to (a student or a piece of work)

- pass gradually from one level, especially a shade of colour, into another
(e.g: the sky graded from blue at the top of the shot to white on the horizon)

- reduce (a road) to an easy gradient

- cross (livestock) with a superior breed


Phrases:
- at grade
- make the grade

Origin:
early 16th century: from French, or from Latin gradus ‘step’. Originally used as a unit of measurement of angles (a degree of arc), the term later referred to degrees of merit or quality