Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Elegancy
{
El′e-gance
,El′e-gan-cy
, }Noun.
[L.
elegantia
, fr. elegans
, -antis
, elegant: cf. F. élégance
.] 1.
The state or quality of being elegant; beauty as resulting from choice qualities and the complete absence of what deforms or impresses unpleasantly; grace given by art or practice; fine polish; refinement; – said of manners, language, style, form, architecture, etc.
That grace that
elegance
affords. Drayton.
The endearing
elegance
of female friendship. Johnson.
A trait of native
elegance
, seldom seen in the masculine character after childhood or early youth, was shown in the General’s fondness for the sight and fragrance of flowers. Hawthorne.
2.
That which is elegant; that which is tasteful and highly attractive.
Syn. –
Elegance
, Grace
. Elegance implies something of a select style of beauty, which is usually produced by art, skill, or training; as,
Grace, as the word is here used, refers to bodily movements, and is a lower order of beauty. It may be a natural gift; thus, the manners of a peasant girl may be graceful, but can hardly be called elegant. elegance
of manners, composition, handwriting, etc.; elegant
furniture; an elegant
house, etc.