1. [n]  a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
2. [n]  a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
3. [n]  a harsh rasping sound made by scraping something
4. [v]  scratch repeatedly; "The cat scraped at the armchair"
5. [v]  make a grating or grinding sound by rubbing together; "grate one's teeth in anger"
6. [v]  reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface; "grate carrots and onions"; "grate nutmeg"
7. [v]  gnaw into; make resentful or angry; "The unjustice rankled her"
8. [v]  furnish with a grate; "a grated fireplace"

1. \Grate\, a. [L. gratus agreeable, grateful: cf. It. & Sp.
   grato. See Grace, and cf. Agree.]
   Serving to gratify; agreeable. [Obs.] --Sir T. Herbert.
   

2. \Grate\, n. [LL. grata, fr. L. crates hurdle; or It.
   grata, of the same origin. Sae Crate, Hurdle.]
   1. A structure or frame containing parallel or crosed bars,
      with interstices; a kind of latticework, such as is used
      ia the windows of prisons and cloisters. ``A secret grate
      of iron bars.'' --Shak.
   2. A frame or bed, or kind of basket, of iron bars, for
      holding fuel while burning.
   {Grate surface} (Steam, Boiler) the area of the surface of
      the grate upon which the fuel lies in the furnace.
   

3. \Grate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grated}; p. pr. &. vb. n.
   {Grating}.]
   To furnish with grates; to protect with a grating or
   crossbars; as, to grate a window.
   

4. \Grate\, v. t. [OF grater to scrape, scratch, F. gratter,
   LL. gratare, cratare; of German origin; cf. OHG. chrazz[=o]n
   G. kratzen, D. krassen, Sw. Kratta, and perh. E. scratch.]
   1. To rub roughly or harshly, as one body against another,
      causing a harsh sound; as, to grate the teeth; to produce
      (a harsh sound) by rubbing.
            On their hinges grate Harsh thunder.  --Milton.
   2. To reduce to small particles by rubbing with anything
      rough or indented; as, to grate a nutmeg.
   3. To fret; to irritate; to offend.
            News, my good lord Rome . . . grates me. --Shak.
   

5. \Grate\, v. i.
   1. To make a harsh sound by friction.
            I had rather hear a brazen canstick turned, Or a dry
            wheel grate on the exletree.          --Shak.
   2. To produce the effect of rubbing with a hard rough
      material; to cause wearing, tearing, or bruising. Hence;
      To produce exasperation, soreness, or grief; to offend by
      oppression or importunity.
            This grated harder upon the hearts of men. --South.
   

a network of brass for the bottom of the great altar of sacrifice (Ex. 27:4; 35:16; 38:4, 5, 30).