GRATING • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Grating

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/grˈeɪtɪŋ/ Listen

adjective

Grating adj. That grates; making a harsh sound; harsh.

noun

Grating n.

1.

A partition, covering, or frame of parallel or cross bars; a latticework resembling a window grate; as, the grating of a prison or convent.

2.

(Optics) A system of close equidistant parallel lines or bars, esp. lines ruled on a polished surface, used for producing spectra by diffraction; called also diffraction grating. Note: Gratings have been made with over 40,000 such lines to the inch, but those with a somewhat smaller number give the best definition. They are used, e. g., to produce monochromatic light for use in optical instruments such as spectrophotometers.

3.

pl. (Naut.) The strong wooden lattice used to cover a hatch, admitting light and air; also, a movable Lattice used for the flooring of boats.

Grating n. A harsh sound caused by attrition.

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.

1.

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."

2.

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

3.

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

Grate v. i.

1.

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

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

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Etymology of 'Grating'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Grating" Quotes from Famous Books

... wished to do to him, once upset. But it was not to be. Even as I reached for his throat I perceived that the light of the window was undergoing an eclipse. A compact form had wriggled out on to the sill, as I had done, and I heard the grating of his shoes on the wall as he lowered himself for ...

— The Little Nugget • P.G. Wodehouse

... gestured toward two of his men, who remained, while the others walked quickly away. The diminished party stepped through the doorway into a small room whose walls were lined with copper, and an instant later, as the officer pushed a small button, there was a low hiss of escaping air, and a copper grating sprang quickly up across the opening of the elevator. He touched another button, and there was the familiar sinking feeling as the car rose, a low hum seeming to come ...

— The Black Star Passes • John W Campbell

... bags on the stern grating that had been freshly soused with seawater as the Active steamed away from Marichchikkaddi contained a wealth of pearls. In the cool of the early morning I would subsidize the eight native sailors, getting them to open the shelled treasures, while I garnered the pearls. ...

— East of Suez - Ceylon, India, China and Japan • Frederic Courtland Penfield

... use of this point which the larva leaves bare instead of inlaying it like the rest of the shell? What is the use of that hole, left quite open or, at most, closed at the bottom with a feeble grating of silk? The insect appears to attach great importance to it, from what I see. In point of fact, I watch the careful work of the apex. The grub, whose movements the hole enables me to follow, patiently perfects the lower end of the conical channel, polishes it and gives it an exactly circular ...

— Bramble-bees and Others • J. Henri Fabre

... where Jean V was imprisoned. In the men's dungeon we saw the large double hook that was used for executions; and we touched curiously with our fingers the door of the women's prison. It is about four inches thick and is plated with heavy iron bars. In the middle is a little grating that was used to throw in whatever was necessary to prevent the captive from starving. It was this grating which opened instead of the door, which, being the mouth of the most terrible confessions, was one of those that always closed but ...

— Over Strand and Field • Gustave Flaubert

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