rasp

noun

/rɑːsp/

/ræsp/

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[singular] a rough, unpleasant sound
- There was a rasp of impatience in his voice.
[countable] a metal tool with a long blade covered with rows of sharp points, used for making rough surfaces smooth

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

verb

/rɑːsp/

/ræsp/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they rasp	/rɑːsp/ /ræsp/
he / she / it rasps	/rɑːsps/ /ræsps/
past simple rasped	/rɑːspt/ /ræspt/
past participle rasped	/rɑːspt/ /ræspt/
-ing form rasping	/ˈrɑːspɪŋ/ /ˈræspɪŋ/

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[transitive, intransitive] to say something in a rough unpleasant voice synonym croak
- + speech ‘Where have you been?’ she rasped.
- rasp (something) (out) He rasped out some instructions.
[intransitive] to make a rough unpleasant sound synonym grate
- a rasping cough/voice
- He struggled to the top of the hill, his breath rasping loudly.
[transitive] rasp something to rub a surface with a rasp or with something rough that works or feels like a rasp
- The wind rasped his face.

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