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| grate [ grayt ] (past and past participle grat·ed, present participle grat·ing, 3rd person present singular grates) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb make into small pieces: to shred something by rubbing it against a rough surface or a tool with sharp-edged holes in it, or be shredded in this way
  He chose a cheese that grates easily.
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2. intransitive verb make noise of rubbing: to make a rough, vibrating, or creaking sound by being rubbed together, or cause things to make such a sound
Grasshoppers make their characteristic sound by grating their back legs against their wings.
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3. intransitive verb irritate: to be a source of irritation
His constant snickering really grates on me.
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4. transitive verb say something in harsh voice: to say something in a harsh rasping voice
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| [14th century. < Old French grater "scrape" < Germanic] |
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| grat·ed adjective |
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