v.
(past and past part. ground)
- reduce to small particles or powder by crushing.
- sharpen, smooth, or produce by crushing or friction.
▸operate (a mill or machine) by turning the handle.
- rub together gratingly.
▸press or rub (something) into a surface.
- move noisily and laboriously.
▸
(grind something out)
produce something laboriously.
▸
(often grind away)
work or study hard.
-
(grind someone down)
wear someone down with harsh treatment.
▸
[
as adj. grinding]
oppressive and seemingly endless:
grinding poverty.
- informal (of a dancer) rotate the hips erotically.
n.
- an act or process of grinding.
- hard dull work:
the daily grind.
▸US informal an excessively hard-working student.
Phrase
- grind to a halt
(or come to a grinding halt)
slow down gradually and then stop completely.
Derivative
- grinder n.
- grindingly adv.
Etymology
OE grindan, prob. of Gmc origin.