grain

1. N-COUNT A grain of wheat, rice, or other cereal crop is a seed from it. (麦、米等) 粒

...a grain of wheat. …一颗麦粒。

2. N-MASS Grain is a cereal crop, especially wheat or corn, that has been harvested and is used for food or in trade. 谷物

...a bag of grain. …一袋谷物。

3. N-COUNT A grain of something such as sand or salt is a tiny, hard piece of it. 细粒

...a grain of sand. …一粒沙子。

4. to take something with a grain of salt→see salt

5. N-SING A grain of a quality is a very small amount of it. 一点[N 'of' n]

There's more than a grain of truth in that. 其中包含不少真理。

6. N-SING The grain of a piece of wood is the direction of its fibres. You can also refer to the pattern of lines on the surface of the wood as the grain. (木材的) 纹理

Brush the paint generously over the wood in the direction of the grain. 顺着木材的纹理刷上厚厚的漆。

7. PHRASE If you say that an idea or action goes against the grain, you mean that it is very difficult for you to accept it or do it, because it conflicts with your previous ideas, beliefs, or principles. 同…格格不入

Privatization goes against the grain of their principle of opposition to private ownership of industry. 私有化与他们反对产业私有制的原则相违背。