grain
UK: ɡreɪn | US: ɡreɪn
n. a small, hard seed of a cereal plant (e.g., wheat, rice)
n. a tiny particle or unit of a substance (e.g., sand, salt)
n. the texture or pattern of fibers in wood, leather, etc.
The word "grain" traces back to Old French grein (seed, grain), derived from Latin granum (seed, small particle). The Latin root granum is also the source of related words like "granule" and "granary." The core idea of "small, compact unit" has persisted through its evolution, reflecting both agricultural and metaphorical uses (e.g., "a grain of truth").
Wheat is a common grain used in bread production.
She brushed the grains of sand off her clothes.
The wood's fine grain made it ideal for carving.
There isn’t a grain of evidence to support his claim.
Farmers store grain in silos to protect it from moisture.