n.
Pronunciation: ' gr ī nd
Function: verb
Inflected Form: ground \ ' grau ̇ nd \ ; grind · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English grindan; akin to Latin frendere to crush, grind
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to reduce to powder or small fragments by friction (as in a mill or with the teeth)
2 : to wear down, polish, or sharpen by friction < grind an ax>
3 a : OPPRESS , HARASS b : to weaken or destroy gradually ― usually used with down <poverty ground her spirit down>
4 a : to press together with a rotating motion < grind the teeth> b : to rub or press harshly < ground the cigarette out>
5 : to operate or produce by turning a crank < grind a hand organ>
intransitive verb
1 : to perform the operation of grinding
2 : to become pulverized, polished, or sharpened by friction
3 : to move with difficulty or friction especially so as to make a grating noise <gears grind ing >
4 : DRUDGE especially : to study hard < grind for an exam>
5 : to rotate the hips in an erotic manner
– grind · ing · ly \ ' gr ī n-di ŋ -l ē \ adverb