grille

¹ American  

[gril] / grɪl /

Or grill

noun

1. a grating or openwork barrier, as for a gate, usually of metal and often of decorative design.

2. an opening, usually covered by grillwork, for admitting air to cool the engine of an automobile or the like; radiator grille.

3. any of various perforated screens, sheets, etc., used to cover something, as on a radio for protecting the amplifier or in cryptography for coding purposes.

4. a ticket window covered by a grating.

5. Court Tennis. a square-shaped winning opening on the hazard side of the court.

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grillé ² American  

[gree-yey] / griˈyeɪ /

Or grillée

adjective

1. cooked on a grill; broiled.

2. Textiles. having an ornamental bar or grate pattern across the open areas of a lace motif.

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grille British  

/ ɡrɪl /

noun

1. Also called: grillwork.  a framework, esp of metal bars arranged to form an ornamental pattern, used as a screen or partition

2. Also called: radiator grille.  a grating, often chromium-plated, that admits cooling air to the radiator of a motor vehicle

3. a metal or wooden openwork grating used as a screen or divider

4. a protective screen, usually plastic or metal, in front of the loudspeaker in a radio, record player, etc

5. real tennis the opening in one corner of the receiver's end of the court

6. a group of small pyramidal marks impressed in parallel rows into a stamp to prevent reuse

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Other Word Forms

• grilled adjective
• ungrilled adjective

Etymology

Origin of grille¹

1655–65; < French, Old French < Late Latin *gratīcula, Latin crātīcula (compare Old Provençal grazilha ), diminutive of crātis

Origin of grillé²

1680–90; < French: grilled; grille

Example Sentences

Since the theft the museum has taken several emergency measures, including replacing the grille used by the thieves as Des Cars sought to focus on a major "Louvre -- New Renaissance" renovation of the site.

From Barron's

Very different are the bold designs for wrought-iron ornament, drawn full size, for making grilles, chandeliers and decorative crests.

From The Wall Street Journal

The court heard it was covered over with grilles but it is not padlocked shut.

From BBC

A Southern California driver made a startling discovery Sunday morning when they found a live bird of prey stuck in the grille of their car.

From Los Angeles Times

Compared to the toolbox angularity of its rivals, the CX-90’s presentation is sleek, urbane, even fancy, with lots of brightwork accenting the front and rear bumpers, rocker panels and grille frame.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• framework
• network