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   Grain

   /ɡrān/

   

   noun

   • 1. wheat or any other cultivated cereal crop used as food. Similar cerealcereal crops
   • ▪ the seeds of cultivated cereals: "grain exports"
   • 2. a single fruit or seed of a cereal: "a few grains of corn" Similar kernelseedgristfruit
   • ▪ a small hard particle of a substance such as salt or sand: "a grain of salt" Similar granuleparticlespeckspotmotemitedotbitpiecescrapcrumbfragmentflakemorseliotamoleculeatom
   • ▪ the smallest possible quantity or amount of a quality: "there wasn't a grain of truth in what he said" Similar tracehintsuggestionsuspiciontingeshadowsmall amountbitlittle bitsoupçonsparkscintillaouncemodicumiotajotwhitscrapshredspotdroppinchstiminformal:smidgensmidgetadarchaic:scantlingscruple
   • ▪ a discrete particle or crystal in a metal, igneous rock, etc., typically visible only when a surface is magnified.
   • ▪ a piece of solid propellant for use in a rocket engine.
   • 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).
   • 4. the longitudinal arrangement or pattern of fibers in wood, paper, etc.: "he scored along the grain of the table with the knife" Similar textureintertexturesurfacefinishfeelweavenapfiberfabricpattern
   • ▪ roughness in texture of wood, stone, etc.; the arrangement and size of constituent particles: "the lighter, finer grain of the wood is attractive"
   • ▪ the rough or textured outer surface of leather, or of a similar artificial material.
   • ▪ lamination or planes of cleavage in materials such as stone and coal.
   • ▪ a granular appearance of a photograph or negative, which is in proportion to the size of the emulsion particles composing it.
   • 5. a person's character or natural tendency. archaic
   • 6. kermes or cochineal, or dye made from either of these. historical

   verb

   • 1. give a rough surface or texture to: "her fingers were grained with chalk dust"
   • ▪ form into grains: "if the sugar does grain up, add more water"
   • 2. paint (something, especially furniture or interior surfaces) in imitation of the grain of wood or marble: "what is the use of having natural wood when you can grain it like that?"
   • 3. remove hair from (a hide).
   • 4. feed (a horse) on grain. North American

   Word Origin Middle English (originally in the sense ‘seed, grain of corn’): from Old French grain, from Latin granum.

   Derivatives

   • 1. grained adjective
   • 2. grainer noun
   • 3. grainless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • G

     2

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

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