rasp

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The sound made by this tool when used, or any similar sound.

   The rasp of her perpetual cough.

2. 2
   verb

   To say in a raspy voice.

   “No. I am going to feed you to the children,” rasped Burt, his laugh rattling around his throat, prising Dad’s fingers one by one off his apron.

3. 3
   verb

   To work something with a rasp.

   To rasp wood to make it smooth.

4. 4
   verb

   To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language.

   Some sounds rasp the ear.

From Middle English raspen, from Old French rasper, from Frankish *hraspōn, from Proto-Germanic *hraspōną, related to Proto-Germanic *hrespaną (“to tear”). Compare Old High German raspōn (“to gather, rake”), Old English ġehrespan (“to tear”). The noun is from Middle French raspe.

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