Meaning of grate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ɡreɪt/

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  1. Verb

    grate

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Old French grater, of Germanic origin; related to German kratzen‘to scratch’

    Definitions

    1. furnish with a grate

    Examples

    • « a grated fireplace »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. gnaw into

    Examples

    • « make resentful or angry »
    • « The unjustice rankled her »
    • « his resentment festered »
  3. 3. reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface

    Examples

    • « grate carrots and onions »
    • « grate nutmeg »

    Derived terms

  4. 4. make a grating or grinding sound by rubbing together

    Examples

    • « grate one's teeth in anger »

    Derived terms

  5. 5. scratch repeatedly

    Examples

    • « The cat scraped at the armchair »

    Derived terms

  6. Noun

    grate

    Etymology

    Middle English (meaning ‘a grating’): from Old French, based on Latin cratis‘hurdle’

    Definitions

    1. a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
  7. 2. a harsh rasping sound made by scraping something
  8. 3. a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air

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