Graze

Verb

Definition: To touch or scrape lightly in passing.

Definition: To feed on growing grass or pasturage.

Synonyms: Skim, Brush, Scrape, Touch

Antonyms: Hit, Collide, Strike, Crash

Examples:

The car grazed the side of the building as it passed.
Cows graze in the field during the day.

Mnemonics:

Imagine grazing your fingertip lightly along a smooth surface.
Think of a cow peacefully grazing in a meadow.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle English, from Old English grasian, from gras (grass).

Historical Usage:

The word has been used in English since the Middle Ages to describe both the action of lightly touching or scraping and the action of animals feeding on grass.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Grazing land"

Explanation:

Refers to land primarily used for livestock grazing.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing 'graze' (verb) with 'graze' (noun) meaning a skin abrasion.

Explanation:

While 'graze' can also refer to a skin abrasion, in this analysis we focus on the verb form which means to touch or scrape lightly in passing.