grate

grate
1 noun (C) the metal bars and frame that hold the wood, coal etc in a fireplace 2 verb
1 (T) to rub cheese, fruit etc against a rough or sharp surface in order to break them into small pieces: grated carrot
2 (I) to make an unpleasant sound
(+on/against): the sound of chalk grating against the blackboard
3 (I) to have an annoying effect on someone's nerves
(+ on): Hardy's constant questions were beginning to grate on me. —see also: grating 2 grateful /'greItfMl/ adjective
1 feeling that you want to thank someone because of something kind that they have done: Dr Cameron has received hundreds of letters from grateful patients.
(+ for): I'm so grateful for all your help. | be grateful to sb for sth: He was extremely grateful to Gladstone for his support. | be grateful that: I'm very grateful that you didn't tell my husband about this. | deeply/eternally grateful (=extremely grateful)
2 be grateful for small mercies used in a bad situation to say that things could be worse than they are: Well, be grateful for small mercies - at least you've still got a job!
3 I would be grateful if you could/would ... formal used to make requests in formal situations or letters: We would be most grateful if you could confirm these arrangements immediately.
—opposite ungrateful — gratefully adverb: We gratefully accepted their offer. — gratefulness noun (U)

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Gräte — Gräte …   Deutsch Wörterbuch

  • Grate — Grate, n. [LL. grata, fr. L. crates hurdle; or It. grata, of the same origin. Sae Crate, Hurdle.] 1. A structure or frame containing parallel or crosed bars, with interstices; a kind of latticework, such as is used ia the windows of prisons and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Grate — Grate, v. t. [OF grater to scrape, scratch, F. gratter, LL. gratare, cratare; of German origin; cf. OHG. chrazz[=o]n G. kratzen, D. krassen, Sw. Kratta, and perh. E. scratch.] 1. To rub roughly or harshly, as one body against another, causing a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • grate — ‘framework for holding burning fuel’ [14] and grate ‘rub’ [15] are different words. The former comes via Old French grate ‘grille’ and Vulgar Latin *grāta from Latin crātis ‘wickerwork, hurdle’. Grate ‘rub’ is ultimately Germanic (its ultimate… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • grate — ‘framework for holding burning fuel’ [14] and grate ‘rub’ [15] are different words. The former comes via Old French grate ‘grille’ and Vulgar Latin *grāta from Latin crātis ‘wickerwork, hurdle’. Grate ‘rub’ is ultimately Germanic (its ultimate… …   Word origins

  • Grate — Grate, v. i. 1. To make a harsh sound by friction. [1913 Webster] I had rather hear a brazen canstick turned, Or a dry wheel grate on the exletree. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To produce the effect of rubbing with a hard rough material; to cause… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Grate — Grate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Grating}.] To furnish with grates; to protect with a grating or crossbars; as, to grate a window. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gräte — Gräte: Die nhd. Form geht zurück auf gleichbed. mhd. græ̅te. Dieses Femininum entstand, indem aus mhd. græ̅te, dem Plural von maskulin mhd. grāt »Bergrücken; Rückgrat; Gräte; Spitze, Stachel; Ährenborste« (vgl. ↑ Grat), eine neue Einzahl… …   Das Herkunftswörterbuch

  • grate — Ⅰ. grate [1] ► VERB 1) reduce (food) to small shreds by rubbing it on a grater. 2) make an unpleasant rasping sound. 3) (often grate on) have an irritating effect. ORIGIN Old French grater. Ⅱ …   English terms dictionary

  • Grate — Grate, a. [L. gratus agreeable, grateful: cf. It. & Sp. grato. See Grace, and cf. Agree.] Serving to gratify; agreeable. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • grate — [v1] shred, grind down abrade, bark, bray, file, fray, gall, mince, pound, pulverize, rasp, raze, rub, scrape, scratch, scuff, skin, triturate; concepts 186,215 grate [v2] irritate aggravate, annoy, burn, chafe, exasperate, fret, gall, get on… …   New thesaurus

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