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Grating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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grating

[หˆษกreษชtษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sound

A grating is a framework of metal bars or wires, used as a cover or a guard over a window, opening, or machine. It can also refer to a harsh, discordant sound.

Synonyms

grid, lattice, mesh.

Examples of usage

  • The grating on the window prevented the thief from entering.
  • The grating sound of metal scraping against metal filled the room.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Grating can also describe something that is irritating or annoying, especially when it comes to behavior or speech.

Synonyms

annoying, harsh, irritating.

Examples of usage

  • Her grating laugh could be heard from across the room.
  • His constant complaints were starting to become grating.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural References

  • In music, certain harsh sounds can be described as grating, often used to evoke specific emotional responses.
  • Many cartoons depict characters being annoyed by grating sounds, emphasizing its negative impact on comfort.
  • In literature, grating dialogue can signify tension between characters, making conversations feel more intense.

Psychology

  • Studying sounds that are deemed grating can reveal personal preferences, highlighting how different people react differently to noise.
  • Research shows that continuous grating noises can increase stress levels and disrupt concentration.
  • The human brain is wired to find certain frequencies grating, likely as a survival mechanism to be alert for danger.

Art

  • Visual artists sometimes use grating patterns in their work to provoke discomfort or challenge viewersโ€™ perceptions.
  • In film, sound designers manipulate grating noises to heighten anxiety during suspenseful scenes.
  • Some Modernists in art intentionally used grating aesthetics to represent chaos and disarray in the contemporary world.

Science

  • In physics, certain sound waves can be classified as grating based on their amplitude and frequency characteristics.
  • Studying how grating sounds affect human behavior can provide insights into acoustics and environmental design.
  • Researchers investigate the impact of grating sounds in urban settings to improve quality of life in communities.

Origin of 'grating'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French word 'grater', which means 'to scrape'.
  • It entered the English language in the late 1400s, initially referring to scraping noises.
  • Related words include 'grate', which can mean both to shred food and to cause annoyance.

The word 'grating' originated from the Middle English 'gratynge', which is derived from the Old French 'grater', meaning 'to scrape'. The sense of 'harsh sound' developed in the mid 17th century, while the meaning of 'annoying' came about in the late 18th century.

See also: grateful, grater, graticule.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,418, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.