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rasp

(răsp)

1. A coarse file with sharp, pointed projections.

2. The act of filing with a rasp.

3. A harsh grating sound.

v. rasped, rasp·ing, rasps

v.tr.

1. To file or scrape with a rasp.

2. To utter in a grating voice.

3. To grate on (nerves or feelings).

v.intr.

1. To scrape harshly; grate.

2. To make a harsh, grating sound.

[Old French raspe, from rasper, to rasp, of Germanic origin. V., Middle English raspen, from Middle Dutch raspen, from Old French rasper.]

rasper n.

rasping·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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