Definition of grain
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1)
obsolete
: a single small hard seed
(2)
: a seed or fruit of a cereal grass : caryopsis
b
: the seeds or fruits of various food plants including the cereal grasses and in commercial and statutory usage other plants (such as the soybean)
c
: plants producing grain
2a(1)
: a small hard particle or crystal
(2)
: any of the particles produced in a photographic material by its development
also
: the size of such grains in the aggregate
(3)
: an individual crystal in a metal
b
: a minute portion or particle
c
: the least amount possible
a grain of truth
3a
: kermes or a scarlet dye made from it
b
: cochineal or a brilliant scarlet dye made from it
c
: a fast dye
4a
: a granulated surface or appearance
b
: the outer or hair side of a skin or hide
5
: a unit of weight based on the weight of a grain of wheat taken as an average of the weight of grains from the middle of the ear — see Weights and Measures Table
6a
: the stratification of the wood fibers in a piece of wood
b
: a texture due to constituent particles or fibers
the grain of a rock
c
: the direction of threads in cloth
7
: tactile quality
8a
: natural disposition : temper
lying goes against my grain
b
: a basic or characteristic quality
c
: a prevalent ideology or convention
teaching against the grain
grain
verb
grained; graining; grains
Definition of grain (Entry 2 of 2)
: to become granular : granulate
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for grain
The first known use of grain was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century