grate

1. A horizontal metal grill through which water, ash, or small objects can fall, while larger objects cannot

   The grate stopped the sheep from escaping from their field.

2. A frame or bed, or kind of basket, of iron bars, for holding fuel while burning

1. To furnish with grates; to protect with a grating or crossbars

   to grate a window

1. To shred (things, usually foodstuffs), by rubbing across a grater

   I need to grate the cheese before the potato is cooked.

2. To make an unpleasant rasping sound, often as the result of rubbing against something

   Listening to his teeth grate all day long drives me mad.

3. (by extension) to get on one's nerves; to irritate, annoy

   She’s nice enough, but she can begin to grate if there is no-one else to talk to.

4. (by extension) to annoy

adjective

Serving to gratify; agreeable.

1. Relatively large in scale, size, extent, number (i.e. having many parts or members) or duration (i.e. relatively long); very big.

   A great storm is approaching our shores.

2. Of larger size or more importance than others of its kind.

   the great auk

3. (qualifying nouns of family relationship) Involving more generations than the qualified word implies — as many extra generations as repetitions of the word great (from 1510s). [see Derived terms]

   great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-grandfather

4. (followed by 'with') Pregnant; large with young; full of.

   great with child

5. (except with 'friend' and similar words such as 'mate','buddy') Intimate; familiar.
6. Extreme or more than usual.

   great worry

7. Of significant importance or consequence; important.

   a great decision

8. (applied to actions, thoughts and feelings) Arising from or possessing idealism; admirable; superior; commanding; heroic; illustrious; eminent.

   a great deed

9. Impressive or striking.

   a great show of wealth

10. Much in use; favoured.

    Poetry was a great convention of the Romantic era.

11. (applied to persons) Endowed with extraordinary powers; of exceptional talents or achievements; uncommonly gifted; able to accomplish vast results; remarkable; strong; powerful; mighty; noble.

    a great hero, scholar, genius, philosopher, writer etc.

12. Title referring to an important leader.

    Alexander the Great

13. Doing or exemplifying (a characteristic or pursuit) on a large scale; active or enthusiastic.

    He's not a great one for reading.

14. (often followed by 'at') Skilful or adroit.

    You are great at singing.

15. Very good; excellent; wonderful; fantastic (from 1848).

    Dinner was great.

16. Intensifying a word or expression, used in mild oaths.

    Great Scott!