rasp

[ rasp, rahsp ]

/ ræsp, rɑsp /

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See synonyms for: rasp / rasped / rasping on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to scrape or abrade with a rough instrument.

to scrape or rub roughly: The glacier rasped the valley floor.

to grate upon or irritate: The sound rasped his nerves.

to utter with a grating sound: to rasp out an answer.

verb (used without object)

to scrape or grate.

to make a grating sound.

noun

an act of rasping.

a rasping sound.

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

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

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Origin of rasp

1200–50; Middle English raspen<Old French rasper to scrape, grate <Germanic; see rape³

OTHER WORDS FROM rasp

raspish, adjectiveun·rasped, adjective

Words nearby rasp

rasmalai, Rasmussen, rason, rasophore, rasorial, rasp, raspatory, raspberry, raspberry sawfly, rasper, rasping

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rasp in a sentence

Using a rasp, zest the meyer lemon into the bowl and add the chopped herbs, anchovy, capers and a few grinds of black pepper.
How Top Chefs Stay Thin|Rachel Syme|December 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
"I saw you as I was coming away from Kendrick's last night," he began, with a bickering rasp in his voice.
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
His throat was like sandpaper and the words came out in a rasp.
The Dark Door|Alan Edward Nourse
Sixth, rasp off the outside edge of one end of the pipe as shown.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble

If the branch is tapered with the rasp as shown the joint can be made very tight.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble
Second, square the ends with the rasp, as previously explained.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble

British Dictionary definitions for rasp (1 of 2)

rasp¹

/ (rɑːsp) /

noun

a harsh grating noise

a coarse file with rows of raised teeth

verb

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

to utter with or make a harsh grating noise

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

Derived forms of rasp

rasper, nounraspish, adjective

Word Origin for rasp

C16: from Old French raspe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German raspōn to scrape

British Dictionary definitions for rasp (2 of 2)

rasp²

/ (rɑːsp) /

noun

an informal or Scot word for raspberry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rasp

Origin of rasp

OTHER WORDS FROM rasp

Words nearby rasp

Words related to rasp

How to use rasp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rasp (1 of 2)

Derived forms of rasp

Word Origin for rasp

British Dictionary definitions for rasp (2 of 2)