Plural of grace; acts of kindness, elegance, or a prayer said before meals; in Christian theology, divine help or blessing.
From Latin 'gratia' meaning favor, kindness, or thanks. The word entered English through Old French 'grace' and eventually split into multiple meanings: physical elegance, social courtesy, and spiritual blessing all stem from the core idea of 'something given freely.'
The three theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—are different from the three Graces (Aglaia, Euphrosyne, Thalia) in Greek mythology, but both represent qualities that can't be earned, only received or possessed—which is why we say grace at dinner.
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