in grammar, a species of accent opposite to acute. The grave accent is expressed thus ('); and shows, that the voice is to be depressed, and the syllable over which it is placed pronounced in a low deep tone.

in music, is applied to a sound which is in a low or deep tone. The thicker the chord or string, the more grave the tone or note, and the smaller the acuter. Notes are supposed to be the more grave, in proportion as the vibrations of the chord are less quick.

in the Italian music, serves to denote the slowest movement.

GRAVE is also used for a tomb, wherein a person defunct is interred.

Graves, among the Jews, were generally out of the city, though we meet with instances of their interring the dead in towns. Frequent mention is made of graves upon mountains, in highways, in gardens, and private houses. So that nothing on this head seems to have been determined. The same may be observed with respect to the Greeks. The Thebans had a law that every person who built an house should provide a burial-ground. Men who had distinguished themselves were frequently buried in the public forum. The most general custom was, however, to bury out of the city, chiefly by the highway side. The Romans were forbidden by the law of the 12 tables to bury or burn the dead in the city; but some we find had their sepulchres in Rome, though they paid a fine for the indulgence.

a very strong town of the Netherlands, in Dutch Brabant, seated on the river Maese, beyond which there is a fort. E. Long. 5. 41. N. Lat. 51. 46.