Rasp (rȧsp), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Rasped (rȧspt); p. pr. & vb.
n. Rasping.] [OF. rasper, F.
râper, to scrape, grate, rasp, fr. OHG.
raspōn to scrape together, to collect, probably akin to
E. rap. Cf. Rap to snatch.]
1. To rub or file with a rasp; to rub or grate
with a rough file; as, to rasp wood to make it smooth; to
rasp bones to powder.
2. Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon;
to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds
rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
Rasp, n. [OE. raspe, OF.
raspe, F. râpe. See Rasp,
v.]
1. A coarse file, on which the cutting
prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a
sharp punch, instead of lines raised by a chisel, as on the true
file.
2. The raspberry. [Obs.] "Set sorrel
amongst rasps, and the rasps will be the smaller."
Bacon.
Rasp palm (Bot.), a Brazilian palm
tree (Iriartea exorhiza) which has strong aërial roots
like a screw pine. The roots have a hard, rough surface, and are used
by the natives for graters and rasps, whence the common name.