grain /ɡreɪn/ ●●○ noun 1 food 食物 a) [uncountableU]TACDF the seeds of crops such as corn, wheat, or rice that are gathered for use as food, or these crops themselves 谷物,粮食 big sacks of grain 大袋大袋的粮食
Last year’s grain harvest was the biggest ever. 去年粮食收成最好。
b) [countableC]TACDF a single seed of corn, wheat etc 谷粒 2 lines in wood etc 木头等的纹理CS [singular] the natural lines you can see in a substance such as wood, which are the result of its structure 〔木头等的〕纹理,纹路along the grain (=in the same direction as the grain) 顺着纹路 Cut along the grain of the wood. 顺着木头的纹路劈下去。
across the grain (=at 90 degrees to the grain) 横对着纹路
3 small piece 小块 [countableC]PIECE a single very small piece of a substance such as sand or salt 〔沙或盐等的〕颗粒grain of There were crumbs and grains of sugar on the table. 桌子上有面包屑和糖粒。
→5 see picture at 见图 piece1 4 a grain of something LITTLE/NOT MUCHa very small amount of something 一点点 The story wouldn’t have fooled anyone with a grain of sense. 稍有一点头脑的人都不会被这个故事骗到。
There is a grain of truth in all folklore and legend. 所有的民间故事和传说中都带有一点真实的成分。
5 against the grain DON'T LIKEif something goes against the grain, it is not what you would naturally or normally do 违反本性 Mary is always honest and it went against the grain to tell lies. 玛丽一向诚实,说谎不合她的本性。
against the grain• The Smiths run directly against the grain.• However it goes against the grain to tell them anything.• However, it goes against the grain to have to say this, as it is our land after all.• Greg Dively is one woodworker who really goes against the grain.• Once again, Silverton goes against the grain by making her meringue smooth and flat instead of fluffy and high.• Granted, that goes against the grain.• For those raised in the prudery of puritanism or the celibacy-conscious preoccupations of Catholicism this ran against the grain.• It went against the grain to have to tell others how to behave. → take something with a pinch/grain of salt at salt1(3)