¦ noun
1. wheat or other cultivated cereal used as food.
a single seed or fruit of a cereal.
2. a small, hard particle of a substance such as sand.
a discrete particle or crystal in a metal, igneous rock, etc.
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).
the smallest possible amount: there wasn't a grain of truth in what he said.
4. the longitudinal arrangement of fibres in wood, paper, etc.
the texture of wood, stone, etc.
5. the rough or wrinkled outer surface of leather.
6. a grainy appearance of a photograph or negative.
7. historical kermes or cochineal, or dye made from either of these.
¦ verb
1. give a rough surface or texture to.
2. form into grains.
3. [usu. as noun graining] paint in imitation of the grain of wood or marble.
4. remove hair from (a hide).
Phrases
against the grain contrary to one's nature or instinct.
Derivatives
-grained adjective
grainer noun
grainless adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. grain, from L. granum; sense 3 arose because the weight was orig. equivalent to that of a grain of wheat.