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 grillé¹

1680–90; < French: grilled; grille

Example Sentences

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

Competitive pressures have caused automakers to embrace ever larger and nuttier grille designs, in order to convey brand recognition farther down the road.

From The Wall Street Journal

Morris Commercial said the reimagined van would retain a number of its original features, including the pear-shaped grille.

From BBC

Wood's bouncer to Cameron Green struck the big all-rounder on the grille and nearly knocked him on to his own stumps.

From BBC

Related Words

• framework
• network