Grate
WordNet
noun
(1) A frame of iron bars to hold a fire
(2) A barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
(3) A harsh rasping sound made by scraping something
verb
(4) Scratch repeatedly
"The cat scraped at the armchair"
(5) Make a grating or grinding sound by rubbing together
"Grate one's teeth in anger"
(6) Reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface
"Grate carrots and onions"
"Grate nutmeg"
(7) Gnaw into; make resentful or angry
"The injustice rankled her"
"His resentment festered"
(8) Furnish with a grate
"A grated fireplace"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- A horizontal metal grille through which water, ash, or small objects can fall, while larger objects cannot.
Etymology 2
From ( > French ), from , . Cognate with Old High German ( > German > Danish ), Icelandic and Danish .
Verb
- To shred things, usually foodstuffs, by rubbing across a grater.
- I need to grate the cheese before the potato is cooked.
- To rub against, such as grating one’s teeth.
- Listening to his teeth grate all day long drives me mad.
- To grate on one’s nerves; to irritate or annoy.
- She’s nice enough, but she can begin to grate on my nerves if there is no-one else to talk to.