grail

[greyl]

noun

1. Sometimes Grail any greatly desired and sought-after objective; ultimate ideal or reward.

   The film's protagonist is defined by the struggle for his grail, a championship title he failed to win earlier in life.

2. Often the Grail Holy Grail.

   Weeks pass, and none of the knights return, so King Arthur himself must quest for the Grail.

Grail

/ ɡreɪl /

noun

1. See Holy Grail

Word History and Origins

Origin of Grail¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English graiel, graile, from Anglo-French grahel, grayel, Old French gräel, grel, from Medieval Latin gradālis “platter,” of uncertain origin; perhaps distantly connected to Latin crātēr “mixing bowl” ( crater ( def. ) ) or crātis “wickerwork” ( grate ¹ ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

In a society so stratified by class, “opportunity” as the holy grail of social policy ultimately leaves outcomes to the untender mercies of the market.

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The market has long been seen as a holy grail for Blackstone and its competitors, but employers have been hesitant to introduce private assets to their retirement-plan lineups because of the risk of lawsuits.

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Baseball’s holy grail is this: One place to watch your team, and every team, wherever you are.

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A single, unified application for every one of California’s public affordable housing funding programs has been the bureaucratic holy grail of California affordable developers and policy wonks since at least the mid-1990s.

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“The holy grail of taboos in American politics,” the interviewer says, “which include socialism, Islam and Palestine. You are really going for the trifecta. Tell me, why is Palestine a part of your politics?”

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