(~s, ~ing, ground)
1.
If you ~ 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 ~ the pepper as you need it.
...the odor of fresh ground coffee.
VERB: V n, V-ed
•
Grind up means the same as ~ .
He makes his own paint, ~ing up the pigment with a little oil.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P
2.
If you ~ something into a surface, you press and rub it hard into the surface using small circular or sideways movements.
‘Well,’ I said, ~ing my cigarette nervously into the granite step.
VERB: V n prep
•
If you ~ your teeth, you rub your upper and lower teeth together as though you are chewing something.
If you know you’re ~ing your teeth, particularly at night, see your dentist.
PHRASE: V inflects, V n
3.
If you ~ something, you make it smooth or sharp by rubbing it against a hard surface.
...a shop where they ~ knives...
The tip can be ground to a much sharper edge to cut smoother and faster.
VERB: V n, be V-ed to n
4.
If a vehicle ~s somewhere, it moves there very slowly and noisily.
Tanks had crossed the border at five fifteen and were ~ing south.
VERB: V adv/prep
5.
The ~ of a machine is the harsh, scraping noise that it makes, usually because it is old or is working too hard.
The ~ of heavy machines could get on their nerves.
N-SING: oft N of n
6.
If you refer to routine tasks or activities as the ~, you mean they are boring and take up a lot of time and effort. (INFORMAL)
The daily ~ of government is done by Her Majesty’s Civil Service...
N-SING: oft adj N disapproval
7.
see also ~ing
8.
If a country’s economy or something such as a process ~s 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.
PHRASE: V inflects
9.
If a vehicle ~s 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.
PHRASE: V inflects
10.
to have an axe to ~: see axe
to come to a ~ing halt: see ~ing