gradin

American  

[grey-din, gra-dan] / ˈgreɪ dɪn, graˈdɛ̃ /

Also gradine

noun

plural

gradins

1. one of a series of steps or seats raised one above another.

2. Ecclesiastical. a shelf or one of a series of shelves behind and above an altar.

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gradin British  

/ ˈɡreɪdɪn, ɡrəˈdiːn /

noun

1. a ledge above or behind an altar on which candles, a cross, or other ornaments stand

2. one of a set of steps or seats arranged on a slope, as in an amphitheatre

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Etymology

Origin of gradin

1830–40; < French: step, ledge of altar < Italian gradino, diminutive of grado grade

Example Sentences

And he jest offered me six cents fer my bright, and five cents fer the rest, tips, flyin's, trash, and all, him to do the gradin'.

From The Tobacco Tiller A Tale of the Kentucky Tobacco Fields by Hackley, Sarah Bell

They sed, "Yes, Mr. Hoskins, we'll hav to do some gradin'."

From Uncle Josh's Punkin Centre Stories by Stewart, Cal