grate

¹grate

verb \ˈgrāt\

grat·edgrat·ing

Definition of GRATE

transitive verb

1

archaic : abrade

2

: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough <grate cheese>

3

: fret, irritate

4

a : to gnash or grind noisily

b : to cause to make a rasping sound

c : to utter in a harsh voice

intransitive verb

1

: to rub or rasp noisily

2

: to cause irritation : jar <a voice that grates on the nerves>

— grat·er noun

— grat·ing·ly \ˈgrā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

Origin of GRATE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with GRATE

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, great, haet, hate, late, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, spate, state, straight, strait, teth, trait, wait, weight

²grate

noun

Definition of GRATE

1

a : a barred frame for cooking over a fire

b : a frame or bed of iron bars to hold a stove or furnace fire

c : fireplace

2

: grating 2

3

obsolete : cage, prison

Origin of GRATE

Middle English, from Medieval Latin crata, grata hurdle, alteration of Latin cratis — more at hurdle

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

³grate

transitive verb

grat·edgrat·ing

Definition of GRATE

: to furnish with a grate

First Known Use of GRATE

1547

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth