grain
/ɡreɪn/Small, hard seeds of cereal plants (e.g., wheat, rice, corn) used as food for humans and animals.
The farmer harvested a large amount of grain this season.
The farmer harvested a large amount of grain this season.
Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet.
Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet.
Grain can refer to the seeds of various cereal crops, including wheat, rice, corn, barley, and oats.
A very small amount or particle of a substance.
There wasn't a grain of truth in his story.
There wasn't a grain of truth in his story.
She sprinkled a grain of salt on her food.
She sprinkled a grain of salt on her food.
In this sense, 'grain' refers to a tiny quantity or speck.
The texture or pattern of a material, such as wood or fabric.
The woodworker admired the fine grain of the oak.
The woodworker admired the fine grain of the oak.
The fabric had a tight grain that made it durable.
The fabric had a tight grain that made it durable.
In this context, 'grain' refers to the direction or arrangement of fibers in a material.
A unit of measurement for mass, equal to 64.79891 milligrams, used in the troy weight system.
The gold was measured in grains.
The gold was measured in grains.
A pennyweight is 24 grains.
A pennyweight is 24 grains.
This usage is primarily found in the context of precious metals and gemstones.
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💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Grain' is commonly used to refer to the seeds of cereal plants, such as wheat, rice, and corn. It can also refer to a small particle or the texture of a material.
Idiomatic Expressions
The phrase 'take with a grain of salt' means to view something with skepticism, while 'against the grain' refers to doing something contrary to the natural or usual way.
⚡Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'grain' can vary significantly depending on the context. In agriculture, it refers to the seeds of cereal plants, while in materials science, it refers to the texture or pattern of a material.
Measurement Context
In the context of precious metals and gemstones, 'grain' is a unit of measurement equal to 64.79891 milligrams, used in the troy weight system.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'greyn,' from Old English 'grēne,' meaning 'corn, grain,' from Proto-Germanic '*grōniz.' Related to Old Norse 'korn,' Old High German 'korn,' and Latin 'granum.'
📝Usage Notes
The word 'grain' can refer to the seeds of cereal plants, a small particle, or the texture of a material. It is also used in the context of measurement, particularly in the troy weight system for precious metals.