Definition of gross

The word "gross" has undergone significant changes in its meaning and usage over the centuries. Originally, it comes from the Old English word "grossus," meaning "thick" or "coarse." In the 14th century, it referred to a large or excessive amount, such as "a gross sum" of money. By the 17th century, it also began to mean "impure" or "unclean," as in "gross behavior." In the 18th century, the word took on a new meaning in the context of science, particularly in the field of anatomy. A "gross" anatomic structure referred to a body part that was visible to the naked eye, as opposed to microscopically small structures. This usage is where we get the modern phrase "the gross anatomy" of the human body. Today, the word "gross" can refer to something that is unpleasant, disgusting, or repulsive, but its original meanings of "large" and "thick" are still preserved in various contexts.