I. ˈrasp, -aa(ə)-, -ai-, -ȧ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English raspen, from (assumed) Middle French rasper (whence raper ), of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German raspōn to scrape together, collect; akin to Old English ge hrespan to tear, Old Frisian hrespa to tear, Old High German hrespan to pluck, and perhaps to Old English hreppan to touch — more at raffle
transitive verb
1. : to rub or grate with something rough or harsh
a cataract that rasps away the rock
specifically : to abrade with a rasp
rasp off any irregularities or sharp corners
2. : to grate harshly upon : serve as an irritant to
some sounds rasp the ear
remarks that rasp the nerves
3. : to utter in an irritated or grating tone
rasp out a denial
intransitive verb
1. : to grate or scrape something
2. : to produce or move while producing a grating sound
the chalk rasped across the blackboard
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French raspe, from Old French, from (assumed) rasper
1. : a coarse file on which the cutting prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a sharp punch instead of lines raised by a chisel (as on the true file) — called also rasp-cut file
2. : a machine or contrivance used for rasping or grating
3. : an act or effect of rasping : a rasping sound, sensation, or effect
the rasp of a cricket
specifically : an unpleasant quality imparted to the voice by excessive tightness of the muscles of the larynx and pharynx
some voices have the hail-fellow rasp of the western plains — R.M.Hodesh
4.
a. : a roughened surface (as in the stridulating organ of an insect)
b. : tooth , denticle
lamprey eels … with row upon row of horny rasps in place of teeth — Robert Kane
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: short for earlier raspis, of unknown origin
chiefly dialect : raspberry