The word "grices" is spelled with the letter "c" instead of "s" because it is derived from the Latin word "gracilis" meaning slender. The "c" represents the "k" sound, making the word pronounced as "gr-eye-seez" /ˈgraɪsiz/. While uncommon in modern English, it is still used in certain contexts such as zoology to refer to slender, small bones or cartilage in animals. Despite its irregular spelling, "grices" serves as a reminder of the Latin roots of the English language.