The term 'GRATE' can be used to describe a variety of actions, as evidenced by the crossword solutions given. These include 'FRAY' (4 letters), which means to wear away or weaken gradually; 'CHAFE' (5 letters), which means to cause irritation or discomfort; 'GALL' (4 letters), which means to IRRITATE or VEX; 'IRRITATE' (8 letters), which means to provoke or annoy; 'VEX' (3 letters), which means to trouble or disturb; 'AGGRAVATE' (9 letters), which means to make worse or more serious; 'INFLAME' (7 letters), which means to make angry or excited; 'RANKLE' (6 letters), which means to cause resentment or bitterness; 'TRITURATE' (9 letters), which means to GRIND or crush into a powder; 'GRANULATE' (9 letters), which means to form into grains or particles; 'FILE' (4 letters), which means to RUB down or smooth; 'GET' (3 letters), which means to SCRAPE or SCRATCH; 'SCRATCH' (7 letters), which means to make a shallow cut or mark on the surface of something; 'BARK' (4 letters), which means to SCRAPE off the outer layer of something; 'SCRAPE' (6 letters), which means to RUB or SCRATCH harshly; 'GRIND' (5 letters), which means to reduce to small particles by crushing; 'JAR' (3 letters), which means to shake or vibrate; 'RUB' (3 letters), which means to move one object over another with pressure; 'DHVI' (4 letters), which means to RUB or SCRAPE; 'RASP' (4 letters), which means to SCRAPE or grate harshly; and 'RILE' (4 letters), which means to make angry or agitated. All of these words describe actions that involve scraping, rubbing, grinding, or otherwise abrading a surface, which is the definition of the term 'GRATE'.