grating

(noun) a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air. Synonyms: grate.

(noun) a frame of iron bars to hold a fire. Synonyms: grate.

(noun) optical device consisting of a surface with many parallel grooves in it; disperses a beam of light (or other electromagnetic radiation) into its wavelengths to produce its spectrum. Synonyms: diffraction grating.

(verb) furnish with a grate. Synonyms: grate. Example: "A grated fireplace."

(verb) gnaw into; make resentful or angry. Synonyms: eat into, fret, rankle, grate. Examples: "The injustice rankled her." "His resentment festered."

(verb) reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface. Synonyms: grate. Examples: "Grate carrots and onions." "Grate nutmeg."

(verb) make a grating or grinding sound by rubbing together. Synonyms: grate, grind. Example: "Grate one's teeth in anger."

(verb) scratch repeatedly. Synonyms: scrape, grate. Example: "The cat scraped at the armchair."

(adj) unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound. Synonyms: gravelly, rasping, raspy, rough, scratchy. Example: "A gravelly voice."