a term rather French than English, though used on many occasions in our language. It has the same import with great, being formed of the Latin grandis. In this sense we say, the grand-master of an order, the grand-master of Malta, of the free-masons, &c. So also the grand-father, the grand-viril, &c., grand-father, grand-mother, &c.

Among the French there were formerly several officers thus denominated, which we frequently retain in English; as grand almoner, grand ecuyer, grand chamberlain, grand voyer, &c.

GRAND Affaire. See ASSISE.

GRAND Distrés (districtio magna), in English Law, a writ of distrés, so called on account of its extent, which reaches to all the goods and chattels of the party within the county. This writ lies in two cases: either when the tenant or defendant is attached and appears not, but makes default; or where the tenant or defendant hath once appeared, and after makes default. On such occasions, this writ lies by common law, in lieu of a petit cape.