GRATE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Grate

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noun

Grate n.

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. "A secret grate of iron bars."

A frame or bed, or kind of basket, of iron bars, for holding fuel while burning.

Grate surface (Steam, Boiler) the area of the surface of the grate upon which the fuel lies in the furnace.

verb

Grate v. t. (past & past part. grated; pres. part. grating) To furnish with grates; to protect with a grating or crossbars; as, to grate a window.

Grate v. t.

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. "On their hinges grate Harsh thunder."

To reduce to small particles by rubbing with anything rough or indented; as, to grate a nutmeg.

To fret; to irritate; to offend. "News, my good lord Rome... grates me."

Grate v. i.

To make a harsh sound by friction. "I had rather hear a brazen canstick turned, Or a dry wheel grate on the exletree."

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. "This grated harder upon the hearts of men."

adjective

Grate adj. Serving to gratify; agreeable. (Obs.)

See images of 'Grate'

Etymology of 'Grate'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Grate" Quotes from Famous Books

... having a late dinner at Aunt Barbara's, a four o'clock dinner of roast fowls with onions and tomatoes, and the little round table was nicely arranged with the silver and china and damask for two, while in the grate the fire was blazing brightly and on the hearth, the tabby cat was purring out her appreciation of the comfort and good cheer. But Aunt Barbara's heart was far too sorry and sad to care for her surroundings, or think how pleasant ...

— Ethelyn's Mistake • Mary Jane Holmes

... flies off the panes of glass. The evening was cold and raw, though the month was August, and threatened rain. Such changes are common on the coast. The dreary aspect of things without was relieved by a small but very cheerful fire, which was burning away merrily in the grate. A large easy chair, covered with snow-white dimity, was placed near it, expressly for Flora's accommodation, into which she was duly inducted by Miss Carr, the moment she had relieved herself of her bonnet and shawl. Everything looked so comfortable and cosy, ...

— Flora Lyndsay - or, Passages in an Eventful Life • Susan Moodie

... silent while they were spoken. A faint smile played around his lips, and the far-away expression of his eyes told that the smile belonged to the memory of other days. It was dark now in the little shop; only the flickering light of the fitful fire in the tiny grate enabled the Young Comrade to see ...

— The Marx He Knew • John Spargo

... points are directed like so many Turn-pikes towards the small end or top of the Beard, which is the reason, why, if you endeavour to draw the Beard between your fingers the contrary way, you will find it to stick, and grate, as it ...

— Micrographia • Robert Hooke

... late 1500's, the heating of iron cannon balls to serve as incendiaries was suggested, but not for another 200 years was the idea successfully carried out. Hot shot was nothing but round shot, heated to a red glow over a grate or in a furnace. It was fired from cannon at such inflammable targets as wooden ships or powder magazines. During the siege of Gibraltar in 1782, the English fired and destroyed a part of Spain's fleet with hot shot; and in United States seacoast forts shot furnaces were standard equipment ...

— Artillery Through the Ages - A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America • Albert Manucy

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