GRAIN


Meaning of GRAIN in English

■ noun

1》 wheat or other cultivated cereal used as food.

↘a single seed or fruit of a cereal.

2》 a small, hard particle of a substance such as sand.

↘a discrete particle or crystal in a metal, igneous rock, etc.

3》 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 ~ of truth in what he said.

4》 the longitudinal arrangement of fibres in wood, paper, etc.

↘the texture of wood, stone, etc.

5》 the rough or wrinkled outer surface of leather.

6》 a ~y appearance of a photograph or negative.

7》 historical kermes or cochineal, or dye made from either of these.

■ verb

1》 give a rough surface or texture to.

2》 form into ~s.

3》 [usu. as noun ~ing ] paint in imitation of the ~ of wood or marble.

4》 remove hair from (a hide).

Phrases

against the ~ contrary to one's nature or instinct.

Derivatives

-~ed adjective

~er noun

~less adjective

Origin

ME: from OFr. ~ , from L. granum ; sense 3 arose because the weight was orig. equivalent to that of a ~ of wheat.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.