Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - great

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English grete, from Old English great; akin to Old High German groz large  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. notably large in size ; huge  b. of a kind characterized by relative largeness — used in plant and animal names  c. elaborate, ample ~ detail  2.  a. large in number or measure ; numerous ~ multitudes  b. predominant the ~ majority  3. remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness ~ bloodshed  4. full of emotion ~ with anger  5.  a. eminent, distinguished a ~ poet  b. chief or preeminent over others — often used in titles Lord Great Chamberlain  c. aristocratic, grand ~ ladies  6. long continued a ~ while  7. principal, main a reception in the ~ hall  8. more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative ~-grandfather  9. markedly superior in character or quality; especially noble ~ of soul  10.  a. remarkably skilled ~ at tennis  b. marked by enthusiasm ; keen ~ on science fiction  11. — used as a generalized term of approval had a ~ time it was just ~  • ~ness noun  II. adverb  Date: 13th century in a ~ manner ; successfully, well things are going ~  III. noun  (plural ~ or ~s)  Date: 13th century an outstandingly superior or skillful person a tribute to the ~s of baseball