Grail

Grail , noun

[Old French greel, Late Latin gradale. See Gradual, n.]

A book of offices in the Roman Catholic Church; a gradual. [Obsolete] — T. Warton

Such as antiphonals, missals, grails, processionals, etc. — Strype

Grail , noun

[Old French graal, greal, greet, French graal, gréal, Late Latin gradalis, gradale, prob. derived from Latin crater bowl, mixing vessel, Greek krath`r. See Crater.]

A broad, open dish; a chalice; -- only used of the Holy Grail.

The Holy Grail, according to some legends of the Middle Ages, was the cup used by our Savior in dispensing the wine at the last supper; and according to others, the platter on which the paschal lamb was served at the last Passover observed by our Lord. This cup, according to the legend, if appoached by any but a perfectly pure and holy person, would be borne away and vanish from the sight. The quest of the Holy Grail was to be undertaken only by a knight who was perfectly chaste in thought, word, and act.

Grail , noun

[French grêle hail, from grés grit, Old High German griex, grioz, German gries, gravel, grit. See Grit.]

Small particles of earth; gravel. [Obsolete]

Lying down upon the sandy grail. — Spenser

Grail (grāl) , noun

[Compare Old French graite slender, French grête.]

One of the small feathers of a hawk.