grainyadj.
/ˈɡreɪni/, U.S. /ˈɡreɪni/ 1.
a. Consisting of grain-like particles; granular. Also of a particle: Grain-like.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > granular texture > [adjective]
graineda1529
grainy1611
arenaceous1646
granulary1646
granulous1699
granular1794
granuliform1847
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Granuleux, Grainie, seedie.
1710 Philos. Trans. 1708–09 (Royal Soc.) 26 497 You will always be able to discover the grainy Particles thereof.
1780 J. T. Dillon Trav. Spain i. xxii. 206 Soft grainy pyrites.
1891 Times 17 Oct. 4/5 750 bags grainy Peruvian at 15s. 6d.
1940 A. L. M. Sowerby Wall's Dict. Photogr. (ed. 15) 350 A negative is said to be ‘grainy’ when an enlargement from it shows the structure of the image.
1947 J. Steinbeck Wayward Bus 33 He was tired and his skin felt grainy.
1961 G. Millerson Technique Television Production iii. 42 Pictures will be indistinct, smeary, lifeless, and scintillating with the grainy effect of picture~noise.
1967 Times 27 Dec. 11/1 The coarsely grainy photography which not very long ago was a sign of spontaneity and originality.
1970 Nature 5 Sept. 1064/1 The very dark and grainy appearance of many of the photographs.
b. Of a voice or sound: rough, gritty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > rough or harsh
stour1786
raspy1821
rasping1873
grainy1963
1963 W. K. Rose in Lett. Wyndham Lewis p. xxi The everyday tone of Lewis's voice—grainy, insistent.
1969 Listener 20 Mar. 398/2 Jack Bruce's bass-guitar work..on the live tracks has a wonderfully grainy, growling sound.
2. Full of grain or corn.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > corn, cereals, or grain > [adjective]
frumentaceous1668
frumental1670
frumentarious1670
cerealiousa1682
grainy1755
cereal1818
cerealian1849
cerealic1881
1755 in S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang.
1792 S. Rogers Pleasures Mem. i. 6 We watch'd the emmet to her grainy nest.
1819 J. H. Wiffen Aonian Hours (1820) 47 They [the ants] throne prosperity in grainy hives.
3. Resembling the surface grain of wood.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > other specific kinds of texture > [adjective] > resembling the grain of wood
grainy1858
1858 Edinb. Rev. July 9 It presented on its surface the grainy ripple of primeval seas.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.1611