Main Entry:

¹grate

Pronunciation:

\ˈgrāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

grat·ed; grat·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French grater to scratch, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krazzōn to scratch

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1archaic : abrade2: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough <grate cheese>3: fret, irritate4 a: to gnash or grind noisily b: to cause to make a rasping sound c: to utter in a harsh voiceintransitive verb1: to rub or rasp noisily2: to cause irritation : jar <a voice that grates on the nerves>

— grat·er noun

— grat·ing·ly \ˈgrā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb