[grain] n [ME, partly fr. MF grain cereal grain, fr. L granum; partly fr. MF graine seed, kermes, fr. L grana, pl. of granum--more at corn] (14c) 1 a (1) obs: 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 ~ of truth" 3 a: kermes or a scarlet dye made from it b: cochineal or a brilliant scarlet dye made from it c: a fast dye d archaic: color, tint
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
6. a: the stratification of the wood fibers in a piece of wood b: a texture due to constituent particles or fibers "the ~ of a rock" c: the direction of threads in cloth 7: tactile quality
8. a: natural disposition: temper "against my ~" b: a basic or characteristic quality "doctrines ... very much in the American ~ --R. W. Noland" -- grained adj
[2]grain vt (1530) 1: ingrain
2: to form into grains: granulate
3: to paint in imitation of the grain of wood or stone
4: to feed with grain ~ vi: to become granular: granulate -- grain.er n