radiator grille
1
5.0
- noun
- /ˈreɪdiˌeɪtər ɡrɪl/
:
rejilla del radiador
Examples
-
Without thinking, he kneels in front of the car and stares at the crushed fenders and radiator grille.
Fiction book (1996) -
He also managed to veto Royce's wish to replace the radiator grille with something more aerodynamic.
Academic text (1997) -
The mechanic examined the damage to the radiator grille after the accident.
-
The car's radiator grille was covered in dirt after the long drive on the highway.
-
She carefully cleaned the radiator grille to ensure the engine would stay cool.
Synonyms
155
1.4
A frame of metal bars used as a screen or barrier
6
5.3
A metal frame at the front of a car that lets air reach the radiator and keeps out dirt
1
7.8
A decorative metal cover made of bars that protects windows or car fronts
A screen of metal or wood bars that covers windows and vents
How Open
1
5.0
322
3.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'radiator' (the engine heat-exchanger) and 'grille' (a mesh or slatted cover) can infer this is the grille associated with a radiator that allows airflow. This noun+noun compound follows regular English compounding patterns and has clear cross-linguistic equivalents, so its sense is immediately derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Radiator grille The noun radiator grille names the frame of slats or small holes at the front of a car. The grille protects the radiator while letting air pass to 'cool' the engine, so the phrase describes both its look and its job.