grateful, a.
(ˈgreɪtfʊl)
Also 6 greate full, 6–8 gratefull, 7 Sc. grytfull.
[f. grate a. + -ful (q.v. with regard to the unusual formation).]
1. Pleasing to the mind or the senses, agreeable, acceptable, welcome. Now only of things.
| 1553 Brende Q. Curtius v. 72 Hys comming was very greate full vnto the kynge. 1609 Heywood Brit. Troy ix. ii, Chast,—nothing better; wanton,—nothing worse, The gratefulst Blessing, or the greatest Curse. 1656–9 B. Harris Parival's Iron Age (ed. 2) 99 Nor ever had the Catholicks a more gratefull Victorie. 1670 G. H. tr. Hist. Cardinals ii. ii. 146 He is so far from being hateful, he is exceedingly grateful to the people of Rome. 1694 Salmon Bate's Dispens. i. (1713) 468/1 It is given..dissolved in some grateful Vehicle. 1725 Pope Odyss. iv. 542 In grateful sleep. 1761 Churchill Night Poems I. 81 Then in Oblivion's grateful cup I drown The galling sneer. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) VII. 367 Fishermen are careful to provide themselves with these insects, as the most grateful bait. 1814 Scott Wav. viii, Enjoying the grateful and cooling shade. 1866 Duke of Argyll Reign Law ii. (ed. 4) 55 This is a doctrine..grateful to scientific men who are afraid of being thought hostile to Religion. |
2. Of persons, their actions and attributes: Feeling gratitude; actuated by or manifesting gratitude; thankful.
| 1552 Duke of Northumberland Let. 7 Dec. in Tytler Edw. VI, II. 148, I love not to have to do with men which be neither grateful nor pleasable. 1552 Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion, The humble and gratefull acknowledgeynge of the benefites of Christe. 1601 Shakes. All's Well ii. i. 132, I cannot giue thee lesse to be cal'd gratefull. 1601 Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1848) II. 219 Ane grytfull rememberance. 1667 Milton P.L. xi. 864 With uplifted hands, and eyes devout, Grateful to Heav'n. 1696 Tate & Brady Ps. c. 3 Your grateful Hearts and Voices raise. 1738 Wesley ‘How happy they, O King of Kings’ v, Our Hearts we'll on his Altars lay, A grateful Sacrifice. 1754 Richardson Grandison IV. xxii. 166 You oppress me, Sir, by your goodness! I cannot speak my grateful sensibilities. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey vi. i, Hailed by the grateful plaudits of all present. 1831 Lytton Godolphin 7 Heaven knows what either you or I have to be grateful for. 1841 W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. II. 326 Gazing up at the Saviour in the first return of consciousness, amazed, grateful, and adoring. 1873 R. Broughton Nancy I. 277 We always have a longer, gratefuller grace than usual, on Sundays. |
| absol. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. ix. 192 Everything from the grateful soothes—their looks, their words. |
b. Of land: Responsive to the labour bestowed on it, fertile.
| 1832 Lander Adv. Niger III. xvii. 47 Afterwards..the soil was more rich and grateful, and the country more varied. |