gra ph pa|per N‑UNCOUNT Graph paper is paper that has small squares printed on it so that you can use it for drawing graphs.
grap|ple /græ p ə l/ (grapples , grappling , grappled )
1 VERB If you grapple with a problem or difficulty, you try hard to solve it. □ [V + with ] The economy is just one of several critical problems the country is grappling with. [Also V to-inf]
2 VERB If you grapple with someone, you take hold of them and struggle with them, as part of a fight. You can also say that two people grapple . □ [V + with ] He was grappling with an alligator in a lagoon. □ [V ] They grappled desperately for control of the weapon.
grasp /grɑː sp, græ sp/ (grasps , grasping , grasped )
1 VERB If you grasp something, you take it in your hand and hold it very firmly. □ [V n] He grasped both my hands. □ [V + at ] She was trying to grasp at something.
2 → see also grasping
3 N‑SING A grasp is a very firm hold or grip. □ His hand was taken in a warm, firm grasp.
4 N‑SING [with poss, oft in/from N ] If you say that something is in someone's grasp , you disapprove of the fact that they possess or control it. If something slips from your grasp , you lose it or lose control of it. □ The people in your grasp are not guests, they are hostages. □ She allowed victory to slip from her grasp. □ …the task of liberating a number of states from the grasp of tyrants.
5 VERB If you grasp something that is complicated or difficult to understand, you understand it. □ [V n] The Government has not yet grasped the seriousness of the crisis. □ [V that] He instantly grasped that Stephen was talking about his wife.
6 N‑SING A grasp of something is an understanding of it. □ [+ of ] They have a good grasp of foreign languages.
7 PHRASE If you say that something is within someone's grasp , you mean that it is very likely that they will achieve it. □ Peace is now within our grasp.
grasp|ing /grɑː sp I ŋ, græ sp-/ ADJ If you describe someone as grasping , you are criticizing them for wanting to get and keep as much money as possible, and for being unwilling to spend it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a greedy grasping individual.
grass ◆◇◇ /grɑː s, græ s/ (grasses , grassing , grassed )
1 N‑VAR Grass is a very common plant consisting of large numbers of thin, spiky, green leaves that cover the surface of the ground. □ Small things stirred in the grass around the tent. □ The lawn contained a mixture of grasses.
2 N‑SING If you talk about the grass , you are referring to an area of ground that is covered with grass, for example in your garden. □ I'm going to cut the grass.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Grass is the same as marijuana . [INFORMAL ]
4 VERB If you say that one person grasses on another, the first person tells the police or other authorities about something criminal or wrong which the second person has done. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + on ] His sister wants him to grass on the members of his own gang. □ [V ] He was repeatedly attacked by other inmates, who accused him of grassing. ● PHRASAL VERB Grass up means the same as grass . □ [V P n] How many of them are going to grass up their own kids to the police? [Also V n P ]
5 N‑COUNT A grass is someone who tells the police or other authorities about criminal activities that they know about. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
6 PHRASE If you say the grass is greener somewhere else, you mean that other people's situations always seem better or more attractive than your own, but may not really be so. □ He was very happy with us but wanted to see if the grass was greener elsewhere.
▸ grass over PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If an area of ground is grassed over , grass is planted all over it. □ [be V -ed P ] The asphalt playgrounds have been grassed over or sown with flowers.
▸ grass up → see grass 4
grass|hopper /grɑː shɒpə r , græ s-/ (grasshoppers ) N‑COUNT A grasshopper is an insect with long back legs that jumps high into the air and makes a high, vibrating sound.
grass|land /grɑː slænd, græ s-/ (grasslands ) N‑UNCOUNT Grassland is land covered with wild grass. □ …areas of open grassland.
gra ss roo ts also grass-roots , grassroots N‑PLURAL [oft N n] The grass roots of an organization or movement are the ordinary people who form the main part of it, rather than its leaders. □ You have to join the party at grass-roots level.
grassy /grɑː si, græ s-/ (grassier , grassiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] A grassy area of land is covered in grass. □ Its buildings are half-hidden behind grassy banks.
gra|ta /grɑː tə/ → see persona non grata
grate /gre I t/ (grates , grating , grated )
1 N‑COUNT A grate is a framework of metal bars in a fireplace, which holds the coal or wood. □ A wood fire burned in the grate.
2 VERB If you grate food such as cheese or carrots, you rub it over a metal tool called a grater so that the food is cut into very small pieces. □ [V n] Grate the cheese into a mixing bowl. □ [V -ed] …grated carrot.
3 VERB When something grates , it rubs against something else making a harsh, unpleasant sound. □ [V ] His chair grated as he got to his feet. □ [V + against/on ] The gun barrel grated against the floor.