grate

noun grates

1. A horizontal metal grill through which liquid, ash, or small objects can fall, while larger objects cannot. The grate stopped the sheep from escaping from their field.
2. A frame or bed, or kind of basket, of iron bars, for holding fuel while burning. With the exception of two handsome ornaments in front, it has the same appearance as any other parlor grate, yet by a simple scientific evaporating apparatus, from thirty to sixty gallons of water, if required, can be evaporated during the day.
3. historical A grapper, a metal ring on a lance behind the grip. Lances (only shown at Stoke D'Abernon) were commonly made of ash, about 13 feet long. A ring of metal (grate or grapper) was fastened to the shaft and during a fight[…]

Similar: grill

verb grates · grating · grated

1. transitive To furnish with grates; to protect with a grating or crossbars. to grate a window

verb grates · grating · grated

1. transitive To shred (things, usually foodstuffs), by rubbing across a grater. I need to grate the cheese before the potato is cooked.
2. intransitive To make an unpleasant rasping sound, often as the result of rubbing against something. 1856, Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary, Part 3 Chapter X, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling The gate suddenly grated. It was Lestiboudois; he came to fetch his spade, that he had forgotten. He recognised Justin climbing over the wall, and at last knew who was the culprit who stole his potatoes.
3. broadly, intransitive To get on one's nerves; to irritate, annoy. She’s nice enough, but she can begin to grate if there is no-one else to talk to.
4. broadly, transitive To annoy. 2015, Art Levy in Florida Trend, Roland Martin is a Florida 'Icon' one of the issues that's kind of grating me a little bit is weed control.

adjective more grate · most grate

1. obsolete Serving to gratify; agreeable. Coho or Coffee[…]however ingrate or insapory it seems at first, it becomes grate and delicious enough by custom.

adjective more grate · most grate

1. obsolete Obsolete spelling of great.great c. 1815, Mary Woody, A true account of Nayomy Wise He promisd her a grate reward