I. noun
also grill ˈgril
( -s )
Etymology: French grille, from Middle French, alteration of Old French greille, graille grille, gridiron, griddle, from Latin craticula fine wickerwork — more at grill II
1.
a. : a grating (as of wrought iron, bronze, or wood) forming an often elaborate openwork barrier, screen, or cover (as to a door, window, or other opening): as
(1) : an openwork barrier or grating in a heating or ventilating system : register
(2) : an ornamental metal screen at the front of an automobile hiding the core of the radiator
(3) : a mask with irregular perforations so arranged that when it is superimposed on a sheet of paper the words or other elements of a cryptographic message may be written through the perforations — see fleissner grille , trellis cipher
(4) : a grilled screen covering the outlet of a radio speaker or other amplifier
b. : an opening covered with a grille: as
(1) : a window for the sale of tickets
(2) : an air outlet (as of a ventilation system) covered with a protective or ornamental grille
2. : a square opening in the corner at the farther end of a court-tennis court on the hazard side
3. usually grill : a square or rectangular uninked pattern on a postage stamp (as on a United States 1867-71 issue) composed of rows of raised or sunken pyramidal bosses where the paper has been cut by corresponding bosses on a roller as a protection against illegal removal of cancellation marks
II. adjective
also grill “
of table cutlery : of a style characterized by unusual length of handle and shortness of blade or tine
III.
variant of grill