a grain of allowance

Grain \Grain\ (gr[=a]n), n. [F. grain, L. granum, grain, seed,
   small kernel, small particle. See {Corn}, and cf. {Garner},
   n., {Garnet}, {Gram} the chick-pea, {Granule}, {Kernel.}]
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   1. A single small hard seed; a kernel, especially of those
      plants, like wheat, whose seeds are used for food.
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   2. The fruit of certain grasses which furnish the chief food
      of man, as corn, wheat, rye, oats, etc., or the plants
      themselves; -- used collectively.
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            Storehouses crammed with grain.       --Shak.
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   3. Any small, hard particle, as of sand, sugar, salt, etc.;
      hence, any minute portion or particle; as, a grain of
      gunpowder, of pollen, of starch, of sense, of wit, etc.
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            I . . . with a grain of manhood well resolved.
                                                  --Milton.
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   4. The unit of the English system of weights; -- so called
      because considered equal to the average of grains taken
      from the middle of the ears of wheat. 7,000 grains
      constitute the pound avoirdupois, and 5,760 grains the
      pound troy. A grain is equal to .0648 gram. See {Gram.}
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   5. A reddish dye made from the coccus insect, or kermes;
      hence, a red color of any tint or hue, as crimson,
      scarlet, etc.; sometimes used by the poets as equivalent
      to {Tyrian purple}.
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            All in a robe of darkest grain.       --Milton.
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            Doing as the dyers do, who, having first dipped
            their silks in colors of less value, then give' them
            the last tincture of crimson in grain. --Quoted by
                                                  Coleridge,
                                                  preface to
                                                  Aids to
                                                  Reflection.
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   6. The composite particles of any substance; that arrangement
      of the particles of any body which determines its
      comparative roughness or hardness; texture; as, marble,
      sugar, sandstone, etc., of fine grain.
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            Hard box, and linden of a softer grain. --Dryden.
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   7. The direction, arrangement, or appearance of the fibers in
      wood, or of the strata in stone, slate, etc.
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            Knots, by the conflux of meeting sap,
            Infect the sound pine and divert his grain
            Tortive and errant from his course of growth.
                                                  --Shak.
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   8. The fiber which forms the substance of wood or of any
      fibrous material.
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   9. The hair side of a piece of leather, or the marking on
      that side. --Knight.
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   10. pl. The remains of grain, etc., after brewing or
       distillation; hence, any residuum. Also called {draff}.
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   11. (Bot.) A rounded prominence on the back of a sepal, as in
       the common dock. See {Grained}, a., 4.
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   12. Temper; natural disposition; inclination. [Obs.]
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             Brothers . . . not united in grain.  --Hayward.
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   13. A sort of spice, the grain of paradise. [Obs.]
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             He cheweth grain and licorice,
             To smellen sweet.                    --Chaucer.
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   {Against the grain}, against or across the direction of the
      fibers; hence, against one's wishes or tastes;
      unwillingly; unpleasantly; reluctantly; with difficulty.
      --Swift. --Saintsbury.

   {A grain of allowance}, a slight indulgence or latitude a
      small allowance.

   {Grain binder}, an attachment to a harvester for binding the
      grain into sheaves.

   {Grain colors}, dyes made from the coccus or kermes insect.
      

   {Grain leather}.
       (a) Dressed horse hides.
       (b) Goat, seal, and other skins blacked on the grain side
           for women's shoes, etc.

   {Grain moth} (Zool.), one of several small moths, of the
      family {Tineid[ae]} (as {Tinea granella} and {Butalis
      cerealella}), whose larv[ae] devour grain in storehouses.
      

   {Grain side} (Leather), the side of a skin or hide from which
      the hair has been removed; -- opposed to {flesh side.}

   {Grains of paradise}, the seeds of a species of amomum.

   {grain tin}, crystalline tin ore metallic tin smelted with
      charcoal.

   {Grain weevil} (Zool.), a small red weevil ({Sitophilus
      granarius}), which destroys stored wheat and other grain,
      by eating out the interior.

   {Grain worm} (Zool.), the larva of the grain moth. See {grain
      moth}, above.

   {In grain}, of a fast color; deeply seated; fixed; innate;
      genuine. "Anguish in grain." --Herbert.

   {To dye in grain}, to dye of a fast color by means of the
      coccus or kermes grain [see {Grain}, n., 5]; hence, to dye
      firmly; also, to dye in the wool, or in the raw material.
      See under {Dye.}
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            The red roses flush up in her cheeks . . .
            Likce crimson dyed in grain.          --Spenser.

   {To go against the grain of} (a person), to be repugnant to;
      to vex, irritate, mortify, or trouble.
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