grain
1grain
noun \ˈgrān\Definition of GRAIN
1
a (1) obsolete : a single small hard seed (2) : a seed or fruit of a cereal grass : caryopsis b : the seeds or fruits of various food plants including the cereal grasses and in commercial and statutory usage other plants (as the soybean) c : plants producing grain
2
a (1) : a small hard particle or crystal (2) : any of the particles produced in a photographic material by its development; also : the size of such grains in the aggregate (3) : an individual crystal in a metal b : a minute portion or particle c : the least amount possible <a grain of truth>
3
4
a : a granulated surface or appearance b : the outer or hair side of a skin or hide
5
: a unit of weight based on the weight of a grain of wheat taken as an average of the weight of grains from the middle of the ear — see weight table
6
a : the stratification of the wood fibers in a piece of wood b : a texture due to constituent particles or fibers <the grain of a rock> c : the direction of threads in cloth
7
: tactile quality
8
a : natural disposition : temper <lying goes against my grain> b : a basic or characteristic quality c : a prevalent ideology or convention <teaching against the grain>
— grained \ˈgrānd\ adjective
— grain·less adjective
See Examples of GRAIN
- bread made from whole wheat grain
- The machine grinds grain into flour.
- The farm grows a variety of grains.
- Anyone with a grain of sense knows that she's lying.
- There is not a grain of truth in what he said.
Origin of GRAIN
Middle English, partly from Anglo-French grain cereal grain, from Latin granum; partly from Anglo-French graine seed, kermes, from Latin grana, plural of granum — more at corn
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to GRAIN
Related Words: ace, dab, dash, driblet, drop, fraction, haet [chiefly Scottish], halfpenny, ha'penny, iota, jot, kenning [chiefly Scottish], lick, minim, mite, modicum, nutshell, ounce, pinch, shred, smatter, smidgen (also smidgeon or smidgin or smidge), spot, strain, streak, suspicion, taste, touch, trace, whisper, whit; bite, mouthful, nibble, tidbit (also titbit); fragment, part, portion, section; chip, flake, shard, shiver, sliver, splinter; clipping, paring, shaving; smithereens
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