Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Elegance \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.