rasp

American  

[rasp, rahsp] / ræsp, rɑsp /

verb (used with object)

1. to scrape or abrade with a rough instrument.

2. to scrape or rub roughly.

   The glacier rasped the valley floor.

3. to grate upon or irritate.

   The sound rasped his nerves.

4. to utter with a grating sound.

   to rasp out an answer.

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verb (used without object)

1. to scrape or grate.

2. to make a grating sound.

noun

1. an act of rasping.

2. a rasping sound.

3. a coarse file, used mainly on wood, having separate conical teeth.

4. (in an insect) a roughened surface used in stridulation.

rasp ¹ British  

/ rɑːsp /

noun

1. a harsh grating noise

2. a coarse file with rows of raised teeth

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verb

1. (tr) to scrape or rub (something) roughly, esp with a rasp; abrade

2. to utter with or make a harsh grating noise

3. to irritate (one's nerves or senses); grate (upon)

rasp ² British  

/ rɑːsp /

noun

1. an informal or Scot word for raspberry

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Other Word Forms

• rasper noun
• raspish adjective
• unrasped adjective

Etymology

Origin of rasp

1200–50; Middle English raspen < Old French rasper to scrape, grate < Germanic; rape ³

Example Sentences

I must have drifted off despite the rasping noises around me, because Baby Joe was suddenly pulling at my hand.

From Literature

I listen to her rasping breath, the rattle deep in her chest.

From Literature

His voice was dry as sand, and rasping.

From Literature

“Their claim was self-defense, sir / Just don’t believe your eyes,” Springsteen sings with his familiar rasp.

From Los Angeles Times

His boots, his big parka, his rasping snow pants, they all dragged at him.

From Literature