grain

• Petite graine ou fruit dure d'une plante céréalière comme le blé, le riz ou le maïs, souvent utilisé comme aliment. Peut aussi désigner un petit fragment granuleux ou la texture d'une surface.

A noun referring to a small, hard seed or fruit of a cereal plant, such as wheat, rice, or corn, often used as food.

1. Cereal cropA2formal

   The small, hard seeds of plants such as wheat, rice, or corn, used for food.

   graine céréalière

   • Farmers harvest grain in the autumn.
   • Bread is made from grain.
   • The country exports large quantities of grain.

   Synonymescerealcorngristkernelseed

2. Small particleB1formal

   A tiny, hard piece of something, such as sand or salt.

   Petit grain, particule

   • A grain of sand got into my eye.
   • She added a grain of salt to the recipe.
   • The table was covered in grains of dust.

   Synonymesbitcrumbfleckgranulemoteparticlepelletspeck

3. Texture or patternB2formal

   The natural pattern or texture of wood, stone, or other materials.

   Grain (texture ou motif)

   • The wood has a beautiful, smooth grain.
   • The marble's grain is unique to this quarry.
   • He sanded the surface to highlight the grain.

   Synonymespatternsurfacetexture

4. Small amountB1informal

   A very small quantity or amount of something.

   petite quantité

   • There is a grain of truth in his story.
   • She didn't have a grain of common sense.
   • He showed a grain of kindness towards the stranger.

   Synonymesatombitcrumbdashhintiotajotmitemodicumparticlescintillasmidgenspecktracewhit

• Former de petites particules solides ou donner une texture granuleuse à une surface.

A verb meaning to form into small, hard particles or to give a granular texture to a surface.

1. To form into grainsB2formal

   To form or cause to form into small, hard particles or grains.

   former en grains

   • The sugar began to grain as it cooled.
   • The mixture will grain if you stir it too quickly.
   • The salt grains easily when exposed to moisture.

   Synonymescrystallizegranulate

2. To give a granular textureC1formal

   To give a surface a rough, granular texture, often for aesthetic or functional purposes.

   grener

   • The artist grained the canvas to create a unique effect.
   • The carpenter grained the wood to match the antique finish.
   • The leather was grained to make it more durable.

   Synonymesabradegranulategritroughensandtexture