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 know,” she says, her voice a quiet rasp.

From Literature

But it was another sound that turned my blood to water: the strangling, grating rasp of Mary’s breathing.

From Literature

He could still feel the slap of the river, and hear his rasping breath – but his eyes were open and staring, and he couldn’t see.

From Literature

He began to drive the iron back and forth, the electric cord rasping against the hook it was strung through near the ceiling.

From Literature

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

From Literature