GRIT

I. noun Etymology: Middle English grete, from Old English grēot; akin to Old High German grioz sand Date: before 12th century 1. sand , gravel , a hard sharp granule (as of sand), any of several sandstones, 3. the structure of a stone that adapts it to grinding, the size of abrasive particles usually expressed as their mesh, firmness of mind or spirit ; unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger, a Liberal in Canadian politics, II. verb (~ted; ~ting) Date: 1762 intransitive verb to give forth a grating sound, transitive verb to cause (as one's teeth) to grind or grate, to cover or spread with ~