gravitas — 1924, from L. gravitas weight, heaviness; figuratively, of persons, dignity, presence, influence (see GRAVITY (Cf. gravity)). A word that became useful when gravity acquired a primarily scientific meaning … Etymology dictionary
gravitas — index severity, solemnity, validity Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
gravitas — ► NOUN ▪ dignity or solemnity of manner. ORIGIN Latin, from gravis serious … English terms dictionary
gravitas — [grav′i täs΄] n. reserved dignity; propriety and good taste in behavior and speech, as of a leader or official … English World dictionary
gravitas — [[t]græ̱vɪtæs[/t]] N UNCOUNT If you say that someone has gravitas, you mean that you respect them because they seem serious and intelligent. [FORMAL] Pale, dark, authoritative, with the gravitas you might expect of a Booker prize winner, former… … English dictionary
gravitas — /grav i tahs , tas /, n. seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech. [1920 25; < L gravitas; see GRAVITY] * * * … Universalium
gravitas — (GRAH vee tahs) [Latin] Weight; weightiness; importance; consequence. Dignity or seriousness of character. For a full thirty minutes they sustained the illusion of gravitas once prized by Cicero and Cato the Elder. Harper’s Magazine, March… … Dictionary of foreign words and phrases
gravitas — grav•i•tas [[t]ˈgræv ɪˌtɑs, ˌtæs[/t]] n. cvb seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech • Etymology: 1920–25; < L gravitās; see gravity … From formal English to slang
gravitas — /ˈgrævətæs/ (say gravuhtas) noun dignified authority; seriousness: *{his} deeply serious expression seemed, like the colour of his hair, to be an attempt at gravitas. In spite of it, he looked like a pixie. –amy witting, 1999. {Latin: weight} …
gravitas — noun Etymology: Latin Date: 1869 high seriousness (as in a person s bearing or in the treatment of a subject) … New Collegiate Dictionary