¦ verb (past and past participle ground)
1. reduce to small particles or powder by crushing.
2. sharpen, smooth, or produce by crushing or friction.
operate (a mill or machine) by turning the handle.
3. rub together gratingly.
press or rub (something) into a surface.
4. move noisily and laboriously.
(grind something out) produce something laboriously.
(often grind away) work or study hard.
5. (grind someone down) wear someone down with harsh treatment.
[as adjective grinding] oppressive and seemingly endless: grinding poverty.
6. informal (of a dancer) rotate the hips erotically.
¦ noun
1. an act or process of grinding.
2. hard dull work: the daily grind.
US informal an excessively hard-working student.
Phrases
grind to a halt (or come to a grinding halt) slow down gradually and then stop completely.
Derivatives
grinder noun
grindingly adverb
Origin
OE grindan, prob. of Gmc origin.