grate [grategratesgratedgrating] noun, verb BrE [ɡreɪt] NAmE [ɡreɪt] noun 1. a metal frame for holding the wood or coal in a ↑fireplace •A huge log fire was burning in the grate. 2. (alsoˈsewer grate) (both US) (BrE drain)a frame of metal bars over the opening to a ↑drain in the ground see also ↑grating
Word Origin: v. late Middle English Old French grater Germanic German kratzen ‘to scratch’ n. sense 1 Middle English ‘a grating’ Old French Latin cratis ‘hurdle’
verb 1. transitive ~ sth to rub food against a ↑grater in order to cut it into small pieces •grated apple/carrot/cheese, etc. •Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the tomatoes. 2. intransitive to irritate or annoy sb •~ (on sb) Her voice really grates on me. •He kept staring at her and it began to grate on her nerves. •~ (with sb) It grated with him when people implied he wasn't really British. 3. intransitive, transitive when two hard surfaces grate as they rub together, they make a sharp unpleasant sound; sb can also make one thing grate against another •The rusty hinges grated as the gate swung back. •~ sth (+ adv./prep.) He grated his knife across the plate. Verb forms:
Word Origin: v. late Middle English Old French grater Germanic German kratzen ‘to scratch’ n. sense 1 Middle English ‘a grating’ Old French Latin cratis ‘hurdle’
Collocations: Cooking Preparing prepare a dish/a meal/a menu/dinner/the fish weigh out 100g/4oz of sugar/the ingredients wash/rinse the lettuce/spinach/watercress chop/slice/dice the carrots/onions/potatoes peel the carrots/onion/potatoes/garlic/orange grate a carrot/the cheese/some nutmeg remove/discard the bones/seeds/skin blend/combine/mix (together) the flour and water/all the ingredients beat/whisk the cream/eggs/egg whites knead/shape/roll (out) the dough Cooking heat the oil in a frying pan preheat/heat the oven/(BrE) the grill/(NAmE) the broiler bring to (BrE) the boil/(NAmE) a boil stir constantly/gently with a wooden spoon reduce the heat simmer gently for 20 minutes/until reduced by half melt the butter/chocolate/cheese/sugar brown the meat for 8-20 minutes drain the pasta/the water from the pot/in a colander mash the potatoes/banana/avocado Ways of cooking cook food/fish/meat/rice/pasta/a Persian dish bake (a loaf of) bread/a cake/(especially NAmE) cookies/(BrE) biscuits/a pie/potatoes/fish/scones/muffins boil cabbage/potatoes/an egg/water fry/deep-fry/stir-fry the chicken/vegetables grill meat/steak/chicken/sausages/a hot dog roast potatoes/peppers/meat/chicken/lamb sauté garlic/mushrooms/onions/potatoes/vegetables steam rice/vegetables/spinach/asparagus/dumplings toast bread/nuts microwave food/popcorn/(BrE) a ready meal Serving serve in a glass/on a bed of rice/with potatoes arrange the slices on a plate/in a layer carve the meat/lamb/chicken/turkey dress/toss a salad dress with/drizzle with olive oil/vinaigrette top with a slice of lemon/a scoop of ice cream/whipped cream/syrup garnish with a sprig of parsley/fresh basil leaves/lemon wedges/a slice of lime/a twist of orange sprinkle with salt/sugar/herbs/parsley/freshly ground black pepper
Example Bank: •The grit beneath her soles grated harshly on the wooden deck. •The steel of the helmet grated against the door. •a teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg •The rusty hinges grated as the heavy iron gate swung open.
