Gravity

Gravity - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

GRAV'ITY, n. [L. gravitas, from gravis, heavy. See Grave.]

1. Weight; heaviness.

2. In philosophy, that force by which bodies tend or are pressed or drawn towards the center of the earth, or towards some other center, or the effect of that force; in which last sense gravity is synonymous with weight.

Gravity is the tendency of great bodies to a center, or the sum or results of all the attractions of all the molecules composing a great body.

3. Specific gravity, the weight belonging to an equal bulk of every different substance. Thus the exact weight of a cubic inch of gold, compared with that of a cubic inch of gold, compared with that of a cubic inch of water or tin, is called its specific gravity. The specific gravity of bodies is usually ascertained by weighing them in distilled water.

4. Seriousness; sobriety of manners; solemnity of deportment or character.

Great Cato there, for gravity renowned.

5. Weight; enormity; atrociousness; as the gravity of an injury. [Not used.

6. In music, lowness of sound.

grav'-i-ti (semnotes): The word, meaning properly "venerableness," "sanctity," is used in 2 Macc 3:12 of the "sanctity" of the temple. In 1Ti 3:4 the writer declares that a characteristic of a bishop should be that he has "his children in subjection with all gravity." Titus is enjoined (2:7 f) in his "doctrine" (teaching) to show "uncorruptness, gravity, sound speech (Revised Version), that cannot be condemned" (compare 1Ti 3:8). In 1Ti 2:2 the same word is translated "honesty" (the Revised Version (British and American) "gravity"), "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity." A better rendering of semnotes might be "dignity" or "dignified seriousness" (Olshausen), which quality is necessary, both on the part of parents in relation to their children, if they are to be properly trained, and on the part of preachers and teachers, if their "doctrine" is to be worthily represented. All mere lightness of demeanor (the opposite of gravity) tells against the great trusts committed to both parents and teachers (compare 1Ti 3:11; Tit 2:2). Such "gravity" or "dignified seriousness" ought indeed to characterize Christian demeanor in general, as in 1Ti 2:2 above.

W. L. Walker