The word "grazed" is spelled with a "z" instead of an "s" despite the fact that it is pronounced with an "s" sound. This is because of a spelling rule in English known as "the double s rule." When the suffix "-ed" is added to a word that ends in a short vowel sound followed by a single consonant, the consonant is doubled. In this case, the "z" in "graze" becomes a double "z" when adding the suffix, resulting in the spelling of "grazed." The IPA phonetic transcription for "grazed" is /ɡreɪzd/.
Grazed is the past tense and past participle of the verb "graze," which is primarily used to describe the action of an animal feeding on grass or vegetation by nibbling or cropping it. However, the term can also be applied more broadly to include other similar actions, such as feeding on plants or foliage in a light or casual manner.
In the context of animals, when a creature grazes, it typically moves along an area, such as a pasture or a meadow, and eats small amounts of vegetation while wandering around. Grazing animals, such as cows, sheep, or horses, are known to feed by cropping the grass or plants with their lips or teeth, usually without pulling them out by the roots. They often do so to obtain nourishment and sustenance from the vegetation.
Furthermore, the usage of "grazed" can be extended to describe other instances where a living being or object lightly touches or brushes against something. For example, a person who accidentally brushes against a rough surface or lightly touches something with their hand can also be said to have grazed it.
In summary, "grazed" refers to the past action of an animal or person feeding on vegetation in a light or casual manner, as well as to the act of lightly brushing or touching against something.
The word "grazed" is derived from the verb "graze", which originated from the Old English word "græsan". This Old English word shares similar roots with the Proto-Germanic word "grasōną", meaning "to feed on grass" or "to eat grass". The etymology of "graze" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*ghreH₁-", which signifies "to grow or become green". This root is also related to words like "grass" and "green". Over time, the verb "graze" developed to include the specific meaning of animals feeding on grass in a meadow or pasture.