grate Hear it!

grate¹ Definition

grate (grāt)

transitive verb grat′ed, grat′·ing

  1. to grind into shreds or particles by rubbing or scraping
  2. to rub against (an object) with a harsh, scraping sound
  3. to grind (the teeth) together with a rasping sound
  4. to irritate; annoy; fret

Etymology: ME graten < OFr grater (Fr gratter) < Frank *kratton, akin to OHG chrazzōn (Ger kratzen), to scratch < IE base *gred- > Alb gërrusë, scraper

intransitive verb

  1. to grind or rub with a harsh scraping or rasping sound
  2. to make a harsh or rasping sound
  3. to have an irritating or annoying effect

grate² Definition

grate (grāt)

noun

  1. grating (sense )
  2. a frame of metal bars for holding fuel in a fireplace, stove, or furnace
  3. a fireplace
  4. Mining a screen for grading ores

Etymology: ME, trellis, lattice < ML grata, crata < L cratis, a hurdle, crate

transitive verb grat′ed, grat′·ing

to provide with a grate

grate Synonyms

grate

n.

  1. Fireholder

    firebox, bed, furnace, stove, grill, barbecue, gridiron, andiron, firepot.

  2. Grid

    grating, lattice, grille, screen.

grate Synonyms

grate

v.

rasp, grind, abrade; see rub 1.

grate Usage Examples

Object

  • nutmeg: Add a little freshly grated nutmeg to the onion mixture it taste great.
  • rind: Ring the changes by adding a grated orange rind or even a chopped red chili to the butter.
  • zest: Add the lemon juice and grated lemon zest and continue whipping at high speed until stiff peaks form.
  • Parmesan: Here Fran has mixed grated Parmesan with chopped rosemary.
  • cheese: Add a handful of grated Parmesan cheese to the rice.
  • ginger: You can also add grated ginger, cinnamon powder, rice syrup or vanilla essence for extra flavor.

Converse of object

  • riddle: My father riddling the grate and getting the Rayburn going to produce our hot water.
  • cook: Place salmon steaks in center of cooking grate of fully smoking grill or smoker.

Adjective modifier

  • cooking: Place foil packet of vegetables on the cooking grate beside steak during the last 10 minutes of grilling time.

Preposition: on

  • ear: Very much a product of his times, his writing can sometimes grate on modern ears with his Great White Hunter attitude to life.
  • nerve: However this Oliver sampling follow up is a step too far and ends up grating on the nerves.

Modifying Another Word

  • coarsely: Using the foil to hold the butter, coarsely grate it into the mix.
  • freshly: Add a little freshly grated nutmeg to the onion mixture it taste great.
  • finely: Serve with sliced banana, finely chopped onion and tomato and finely grated coconut.

Noun used with modifier

  • cooking: Place fish on lightly oiled cooking grate, flesh side down.
  • sewer: Mulder stares at Skinner for a moment. ) MULDER: In a sewer grate.. .
  • hob: The grate below is a fairly standard mid to late 18th century coal-burning hob grate from a house out in the country.
  • iron: How can I get paint off a cast iron grate?
  • cast: How can I get paint off a cast iron grate?

Preposition: after

  • while: And I agree with Allen, the style did grate after a while.