n.
- wheat or other cultivated cereal used as food.
▸a single seed or fruit of a cereal.
- a small, hard particle of a substance such as sand.
▸a discrete particle or crystal in a metal, igneous rock, etc.
- the smallest unit of weight in the troy and avoirdupois systems, equal to ¹⁄₅₇₆₀ of a pound troy and ¹⁄₇₀₀₀ of a pound avoirdupois (approximately 0.0648 grams).
▸the smallest possible amount:
there wasn't a grain of truth in what he said.
- the longitudinal arrangement of fibres in wood, paper, etc.
▸the texture of wood, stone, etc.
- the rough or wrinkled outer surface of leather.
- a grainy appearance of a photograph or negative.
- historical kermes or cochineal, or dye made from either of these.
v.
- give a rough surface or texture to.
- form into grains.
-
[usu. as noun graining]
paint in imitation of the grain of wood or marble.
- remove hair from (a hide).
Phrase
- against the grain
contrary to one's nature or instinct.
Derivative
- -grained adj.
- grainer n.
- grainless adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. grain, from L. granum; sense 3 arose because the weight was orig. equivalent to that of a grain of wheat.