rasp

[ rasp, rahsp ]

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.

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

/ rɑːsp /

noun

1. a harsh grating noise
2. a coarse file with rows of raised teeth

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

/ rɑːsp /

noun

1. See raspberry
   an informal or Scot word for raspberry

Derived Forms

• ˈraspish, adjective
• ˈrasper, noun

Other Words From

• raspish adjective
• un·rasped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rasp¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rasp¹

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

Example Sentences

Using a rasp, zest the meyer lemon into the bowl and add the chopped herbs, anchovy, capers and a few grinds of black pepper.

From The Daily Beast

"I saw you as I was coming away from Kendrick's last night," he began, with a bickering rasp in his voice.

From Project Gutenberg

His throat was like sandpaper and the words came out in a rasp.

From Project Gutenberg

Sixth, rasp off the outside edge of one end of the pipe as shown.

From Project Gutenberg

If the branch is tapered with the rasp as shown the joint can be made very tight.

From Project Gutenberg

Second, square the ends with the rasp, as previously explained.

From Project Gutenberg