grate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   make a grating or grinding sound by rubbing together

   Grate one's teeth in anger.

2. 2
   verb

   reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface

   Grate carrots and onions.

3. 3
   verb

   furnish with a grate

   A grated fireplace.

From Middle English graten, from Old French grater (“to scrape”) ( > French gratter), from Frankish *krattōn, from Proto-Germanic *krattōną. Cognate with Old High German krazzon ( > German kratzen (“to scrawl”) > Danish kradse), Icelandic krassa (“to scrawl”) and Danish kratte.

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