GRAIN, n. [L. granum.] 1. Any small hard mass; as a grain of sand or gravel. Hence,2. A single seed or hard seed of a plant, particularly of those kinds whose seeds are used for food of man or beast. This is usually inclosed in a proper shell or covered with a husk,and contains the embryo of a new plant. Hence,3. Grain, without a definitive, signifies corn in general, or the fruit of certain plants which constitutes the chief food of man and beast, as wheat, rye, barley, oats and maiz.4. A minute particle.5. A small weight, or the smallest weight ordinarily used, being the twentieth part of the scruple in apothecaries' weight, and the twenty fourth of a pennyweight troy.6. A component part of stones and metals.7. The veins or fibers of wood or other fibrous substance; whence, cross-grained, and against the grain.8. The body or substance of wood as modified by the fibers. Hard box, and linden of a softer grain.9. The body or substance of a thing considered with respect to the size, form or direction of the constituent particles; as stones of a fine grain. The tooth of a sea-horse,contains a curdled grain. 10. Any thing proverbially small; a very small particle or portion; as a grain of wit or of common sense. Neglect not to make use of any grain of grace. 11. Dyed or stained substance. All in a robe of darkest grain. 12. The direction of the fibers of wood or other fibrous substance; hence the phrase, against the grain, applied to animals, that is, against their natural tempers. 13. The heart or temper; as brothers not united in grain. 14. The form of the surface of any thing with respect to smoothness or roughness; state of the grit of any body composed of grains; as sandstone of a fine grain. 15. A tine, prong or spike. A grain of allowance, a small allowance or indulgence; a small portion to be remitted; something above or below just weight. To dye in grain, is to dye in the raw material, as wool or silk before it is manufactured. GRAIN, v.i. To yield fruit. GRAIN, or GRANE, for groan. [Not in use.] |
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In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 
