COARSE GRAIN Meaning and
Definition
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Coarse grain refers to the size of particles or the level of detail in a given material or object. It is commonly used in fields such as geology, material science, and computer graphics.
In geology, coarse grain is used to describe rocks or sediments that have large particles. These particles are typically visible to the naked eye, ranging in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Coarse-grained rocks, such as granite or conglomerate, generally have a rough texture due to the visible grains.
In material science, coarse grain refers to the large size of the crystalline structures within a material. When a material has a coarse grain structure, its individual grains are relatively large and can be easily seen under a microscope. This characteristic affects the material's mechanical properties, as fine-grained materials are typically stronger and more resistant to deformation.
In computer graphics, coarse grain can also refer to the level of detail or resolution in an image or texture. A coarse-grained image or texture has fewer pixels or texels per unit area, resulting in a lower level of detail. This can be contrasted with fine-grained textures that are highly detailed and have a higher resolution.
Overall, coarse grain pertains to the large size of particles, crystals, or level of detail present in a material, object, or image.
Etymology of COARSE GRAIN
The word "coarse" originated from the Old English word "cors", which meant "ordinary" or "common". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "kursaz", which referred to something rough or harsh. In the context of "coarse grain", the word "coarse" describes the texture or quality of the grain, indicating that it is rough, uneven, or not finely ground. The term "grain" refers to the seeds of plants such as wheat, rice, or maize. Overall, the etymology of "coarse grain" suggests a reference to the rough or coarse quality of the seeds or the texture of the ground product.
