grate etymology

Etymology of "Grate"

The word "grate" has multiple etymological origins:

1. Old English (via Old French):

  • From Old French grater, meaning "to scrape, scratch"
  • Ultimately derived from the Latin grattare, meaning "to scratch"

2. Old Norse:

  • From Old Norse grata, meaning "to grind, rub"
  • Cognate with the German kratzen, meaning "to scratch"

3. Proto-Germanic:

  • From Proto-Germanic *krotōn, meaning "to scratch, scrape"
  • Related to the English words "crop" and "crawl"

Meaning and Origin

1. Verb:

  • To reduce to small particles by rubbing or scraping
  • To produce a harsh or unpleasant sound
  • To irritate, annoy, or cause discomfort

2. Noun:

  • A metal frame with parallel bars used for cooking or heating food
  • A grid or screen made of metal or other materials with openings that allow air, light, or liquid to pass through
  • A grating sound or noise

The original meaning of "grate" as a verb was to scratch or scrape, which is reflected in its use in early English texts. The noun sense of "grate" as a metal frame for cooking evolved from the verb, as it is used for scraping or grating food. The meaning of "grate" as a grid or screen developed from the idea of a grating surface that allows something to pass through.

grate relate terms

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  • scrape

    Etymology From Middle English scrapen altered from Old English screpan from Proto Ger

  • strident

    Etymology Latin stridens present participle of stridēre to make a harsh noise Indo

  • rasp

    Etymology The word rasp has the following etymology Old English raspian to grate

  • grind

    Etymology Old English grindan Proto Germanic grinnan Proto Indo European root grei

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    Etymology The word roast originates from the Old French word rostir which in turn co

  • chew

    Etymology The word chew comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew

  • render

    Etymology Old French rendre Late Latin reddere Proto Indo European red Meaning

  • noise

    Etymology Old French noyse from Latin nausea seasickness nausea Meaning Any