Word Definition

Grate

  1. To furnish with grates; to protect with a grating or crossbars; as, to grate a window.
  2. To produce the effect of rubbing with a hard rough material; to cause wearing, tearing, or bruising. Hence; To produce exasperation, soreness, or grief; to offend by oppression or importunity.
  3. To make a harsh sound by friction.
  4. To fret; to irritate; to offend.
  5. To reduce to small particles by rubbing with anything rough or indented; as, to grate a nutmeg.
  6. A frame or bed, or kind of basket, of iron bars, for holding fuel while burning.
  7. A structure or frame containing parallel or crosed bars, with interstices; a kind of latticework, such as is used ia the windows of prisons and cloisters.
  8. Serving to gratify; agreeable.
  9. To rub roughly or harshly, as one body against another, causing a harsh sound; as, to grate the teeth; to produce (a harsh sound) by rubbing.