rasp

 
Pronunciation: /rɑːsp/

noun

  • 1 [in singular] a harsh, grating noise: the rasp of the engine
  • 2a coarse file or similar metal tool for scraping, filing, or rubbing down objects of metal, wood, or other hard material.

verb

  • 1 [no object] make a harsh, grating noise: my breath rasped in my throat
  • [with direct speech] say in a harsh, grating voice: ‘Stay where you are!’ he rasped
  • 2 [with object] scrape or file (something) with a rasp: the horse has to be sedated for its teeth to be rasped
  • (of a rough surface or object) scrape in a painful or unpleasant way: the bark was deeply grooved, rasping her fingers

Derivatives

raspy

adjective (raspier, raspiest)

Origin:

Middle English (as a verb): from Old French rasper, perhaps of Germanic origin