v. grazed, graz·ing, graz·es v.intr. 1. To feed on growing grasses and herbage. 2. Informal a. To eat a variety of appetizers as a full meal. b. To eat snacks throughout the day in place of full meals. v.tr. 1. To feed on (herbage) in a field or on pastureland. 2. To feed on the herbage of (a piece of land). 3. To afford herbage for the feeding of: This field will graze 30 head of cattle. 4. To put (livestock) out to feed. 5. To tend (feeding livestock) in a pasture. [Middle English grasen, from Old English grasian, from græs, grass; see ghrē- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] grazea·ble, graza·ble adj. grazer n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
v. grazed, graz·ing, graz·es v.tr. 1. To touch lightly in passing; brush. See Synonyms at brush1. 2. To scrape or scratch slightly; abrade. v.intr. To scrape or touch something lightly in passing. n. 1. The act of brushing or scraping along a surface. 2. A minor scratch or abrasion. [Perhaps from GRAZE1.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.