grain

/ɡreɪn/
verb
  1. To give a textured or grainy surface to something, such as leather or paint.
    • The painter grained the wall to imitate the look of marble.
    • The artisan grained the leather to make it look more natural.
    • They grained the wooden panels to match the antique furniture.
noun
  1. The small, hard seeds of plants such as wheat, rice, corn, or oats, used for food.
    • The country exports millions of tons of grain every year.
    • A healthy diet includes whole grains like brown rice and quinoa.
    • Farmers harvest grain in the late summer and store it in silos.
  2. A single small seed or particle of something, especially sand, salt, or sugar.
    • She felt a grain of sand in her shoe and stopped to shake it out.
    • Add a grain of salt to the water before boiling the pasta.
    • The sculpture was carved from a single grain of rice.
  3. The natural pattern or texture of wood, stone, or other material, showing the direction of fibers or layers.
    • Marble has a beautiful grain that makes each slab unique.
    • The carpenter sanded the wood along the grain to get a smooth finish.
    • When cutting leather, it's important to follow the grain for strength.
  4. A very small amount of something, often used in phrases like 'a grain of truth'.
    • There is a grain of truth in his story, even if most of it is exaggerated.
    • She didn't have a grain of doubt about her decision.
    • He showed not a grain of sympathy for their troubles.
What does "grain" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean