grind

[[t]gra͟ɪnd[/t]]

grinds, grinding, ground

1) VERB 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.

[V n] Store the peppercorns in an airtight container and grind the pepper as you need it.

[V-ed] ...the odor of fresh ground coffee.

PHRASAL VERB

Grind up means the same as grind.

Also V n P V P n (not pron) He makes his own paint, grinding up the pigment with a little oil.

2) VERB If you grind something into a surface, you press and rub it hard into the surface using small circular or sideways movements.

[V n prep] `Well,' I said, grinding my cigarette nervously into the granite step.

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PHRASE: V inflects If you grind your teeth, you rub your upper and lower teeth together as though you are chewing something.

V n If you know you're grinding your teeth, particularly at night, see your dentist.

3) VERB If you grind something, you make it smooth or sharp by rubbing it against a hard surface.

[V n] It was beyond my ability to grind a blade this broad...

[be V-ed to n] The tip can be ground to a much sharper edge to cut smoother and faster. [Also V n to n]

4) VERB If a vehicle grinds somewhere, it moves there very slowly and noisily.

[V adv/prep] 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 (disapproval) 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...

Life continues to be a terrible grind for the ordinary person.

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 grinding

Phrasal Verbs:

- grind down

- grind on

- grind out

- grind up