\El"e*gance\, Elegancy \El"e*gan*cy\, n. [L. elegantia,
fr. elegans, -antis, elegant: cf. F. ['e]l['e]gance.]
1. The state or quality of being elegant; beauty as resulting
   from choice qualities and the complete absence of what
   deforms or impresses unpleasantly; grace given by art or
   practice; fine polish; refinement; -- said of manners,
   language, style, form, architecture, etc.
         That grace that elegance affords.     --Drayton.
         The endearing elegance of female friendship.
                                               --Johnson.
         A trait of native elegance, seldom seen in the
         masculine character after childhood or early youth,
         was shown in the General's fondness for the sight
         and fragrance of flowers.             --Hawthorne.
2. That which is elegant; that which is tasteful and highly
   attractive.
         The beautiful wildness of nature, without the nicer
         elegancies of art.                    --Spectator.
Syn: {Elegance}, {Grace}. Elegance implies something of a
     select style of beauty, which is usually produced by
     art, skill, or training; as, elegance of manners,
     composition, handwriting, etc.; elegant furniture; an
     elegant house, etc. Grace, as the word is here used,
     refers to bodily movements, and is a lower order of
     beauty. It may be a natural gift; thus, the manners of a
     peasant girl may be graceful, but can hardly be called
     elegant.