grind
grind /gr'aɪnd/ (grinds grinding ground)
1 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you grind a substance such as corn, you crush it between two hard surfaces or with a machine until it becomes a fine powder.
Store the peppercorns in an airtight container and grind the pepper as you need it.
...the odor of fresh ground coffee.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
Grind up means the same as grind.
He makes his own paint, grinding up the pigment with a little oil.
2 [VERB] V n prep
If you grind something into a surface, you press and rub it hard into the surface using small circular or sideways movements.
`Well,' I said, grinding my cigarette nervously into the granite step.
[PHRASE] V inflects, V n
If you grind your teeth, you rub your upper and lower teeth together as though you are chewing something.
If you know you're grinding your teeth, particularly at night, see your dentist.
3 [VERB] V n, be V-ed to n
If you grind something, you make it smooth or sharp by rubbing it against a hard surface.
...a shop where they grind knives...
The tip can be ground to a much sharper edge to cut smoother and faster.
4 [VERB] V adv/prep
If a vehicle grinds somewhere, it moves there very slowly and noisily.
Tanks had crossed the border at five fifteen and were grinding south.
5 [N-SING] oft N of n
The grind of a machine is the harsh, scraping noise that it makes, usually because it is old or is working too hard.
The grind of heavy machines could get on their nerves.
6 [N-SING] oft adj N
If you refer to routine tasks or activities as the grind, you mean they are boring and take up a lot of time and effort. (INFORMAL)
The daily grind of government is done by Her Majesty's Civil Service...
7
see also grinding
8 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a country's economy or something such as a process grinds to a halt, it gradually becomes slower or less active until it stops.
The peace process has ground to a halt while Israel struggles to form a new government.
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a vehicle grinds to a halt, it stops slowly and noisily.
The tanks ground to a halt after a hundred yards because the fuel had been siphoned out.
10
to have an axe to grind: see axe
to come to a grinding halt: see grindinggrind down
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you say that someone grinds you down, you mean that they treat you very harshly and cruelly, reducing your confidence or your will to resist them.
There are people who want to humiliate you and grind you down.grind on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that something grinds on, you disapprove of the fact that it continues to happen in the same way for a long time.
Civil war in the Sudan has been grinding on for nine years.grind up
see grind 1
1 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you grind a substance such as corn, you crush it between two hard surfaces or with a machine until it becomes a fine powder.
Store the peppercorns in an airtight container and grind the pepper as you need it.
...the odor of fresh ground coffee.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
Grind up means the same as grind.
He makes his own paint, grinding up the pigment with a little oil.
2 [VERB] V n prep
If you grind something into a surface, you press and rub it hard into the surface using small circular or sideways movements.
`Well,' I said, grinding my cigarette nervously into the granite step.
[PHRASE] V inflects, V n
If you grind your teeth, you rub your upper and lower teeth together as though you are chewing something.
If you know you're grinding your teeth, particularly at night, see your dentist.
3 [VERB] V n, be V-ed to n
If you grind something, you make it smooth or sharp by rubbing it against a hard surface.
...a shop where they grind knives...
The tip can be ground to a much sharper edge to cut smoother and faster.
4 [VERB] V adv/prep
If a vehicle grinds somewhere, it moves there very slowly and noisily.
Tanks had crossed the border at five fifteen and were grinding south.
5 [N-SING] oft N of n
The grind of a machine is the harsh, scraping noise that it makes, usually because it is old or is working too hard.
The grind of heavy machines could get on their nerves.
6 [N-SING] oft adj N
If you refer to routine tasks or activities as the grind, you mean they are boring and take up a lot of time and effort. (INFORMAL)
The daily grind of government is done by Her Majesty's Civil Service...
7
see also grinding
8 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a country's economy or something such as a process grinds to a halt, it gradually becomes slower or less active until it stops.
The peace process has ground to a halt while Israel struggles to form a new government.
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a vehicle grinds to a halt, it stops slowly and noisily.
The tanks ground to a halt after a hundred yards because the fuel had been siphoned out.
10
to have an axe to grind: see axe
to come to a grinding halt: see grindinggrind down
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you say that someone grinds you down, you mean that they treat you very harshly and cruelly, reducing your confidence or your will to resist them.
There are people who want to humiliate you and grind you down.grind on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that something grinds on, you disapprove of the fact that it continues to happen in the same way for a long time.
Civil war in the Sudan has been grinding on for nine years.grind up
see grind 1