Unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound; SYN. gravel, gravelly, rasping, raspy, rough.

ETYM See Grate.
1. A partition, covering, or barrier made of parallel or crossed bars.
2. (Optics) A system of close equidistant and parallel lines or bars, especially lines ruled on a polished surface, used for producing spectra by diffraction; -- called also diffraction grating.
3. (Nautical) The strong wooden lattice used to cover a hatch, admitting light and air; also, a movable lattice used for the flooring of boats.