‖ granˈdezza, granˈdeza Obs.
Also 7 grandetsa.
[It. grandezza, Sp. grandeza:—popular L. type *granditia, f. grand-is: see grand a.]
Grandeur, greatness, magnificence; also, an instance of this, a distinguished honour or privilege.
| 1642 Howell For. Trav. (Arb.) 40 If he be there at the arrivall of the Plate-Fleet..he shall see such a Grandeza, that the Roman Monarchy in her highest florish never had the like. c 1645 ― Lett. I. ii. iii. xvii. (1650) 62 Amongst other Grandezas which the King of Spain conferr'd upon our Prince, one was the releasment of Prisoners. 1652 J. Hall Height Eloquence p. xxxiv, They are overshadowed with Grandezza's and beauties. 1663 Flagellum, or O. Cromwell (1672) 37 The credit of this Atchievement was industriously cryed up at Westminster, and all the Grandezza's of Scriptural Ovation fitted and accommodated thereto. 1675 H. Teonge Diary (1825) 87 This island [Cyprus]..had in it 30 cittys, of which there still remaine many worthy memorables of their pristin grandetsa's. |