grains

n. the small, hard seeds of plants like wheat, corn, or rice that people eat.

n. the harvested seeds of cereal grasses, such as wheat, maize, or rye, considered collectively as a food source.

“Whole grains like brown rice are very healthy for your heart.”

“The global market for cereal grains fluctuated significantly following the report of a poor harvest in the northern hemisphere.”

n. very small, hard pieces of a substance like sand, salt, or sugar.

n. minute, discrete particles of a substance, typically referring to sand, salt, or mineral deposits.

“I felt a few grains of sand in my shoes after walking on the beach.”

“The geologist examined the individual grains of quartz under a microscope to determine the rock's origin.”

n. the natural patterns or lines you see in wood or stone.

n. the longitudinal arrangement or pattern of fibres in wood, or the texture of particles in stone or metal.

“The carpenter followed the grains of the wood to make a smooth table.”

“The sculptor carefully selected a block of marble where the natural grains would complement the curves of the figure.”

v. to give something a rough surface or a wood-like pattern.

v. to paint or treat a surface so that it mimics the texture of wood or stone; the third-person singular form.

“The artist grains the metal to make it look like expensive oak.”

“In traditional decorative arts, a specialist grains the plaster walls to create the illusion of exotic hardwood panelling.”

Technical