- grat´er
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–n.1. a framework of iron bars to hold burning fuel in a furnace or fireplace: »
Many of the small hot coals fell through the grate.
2. = fireplace. (Cf. ↑fireplace)3. a framework of bars over a window or opening; grating: »Each basement window of the store had a grate over it to protect the glass.
4. Mining. a screen used for separating or grading ore.5. Obsolete. a cage for animals or human beings; prison.–v.t.to furnish with iron bars: »The windows were strongly grated.
╂[< Medieval Latin grata lattice < Italian < Late Latin crātis grill < Latin, hurdle, wickerwork, related to crassus thick, dense. See etym. of doublet crate. (Cf. ↑crate)]–grate´like´, adjective.–v.i.1. to have an annoying or unpleasant effect: »His rude manners and loud voice grate on me.
2. to make a harsh, jarring noise by rubbing; sound harshly: »The door grated on its old, rusty hinges.
–v.t.1. to wear down or grind off in small pieces: »The cook grated the cheese before melting it.
2. to rub harshly together: »to grate the teeth.
3. to make a grinding sound against; sound harshly against: »A boat grates the shore.
4. Figurative. to fret; annoy; irritate: »Grating so harshly all his days of quiet With turbulent and dangerous lunacy (Shakespeare).
SYNONYM(S): nettle.5. to produce by rough friction: »Open fly…The infernal doors, and on their hinges grate Harsh thunder (Milton).
6. Obsolete. to scrape, file, or abrade.–n.a harsh, grinding noise: »the grate of old, rusty hinges.
╂[< Old French grater < Germanic (compare Old High German chrazzōn to scratch)]–grat´er, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
