[grind] vb ground ; grind.ing [ME, fr. OE grindan; akin to L frendere to crush, grind] vt (bef. 12c) 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 "~ an ax" 3 a: oppress, harass b: to weaken or destroy gradually--usu. used with down "poverty ground her spirit down"
4. a: to press together with a rotating motion "~ the teeth" b: to rub or press harshly "ground the cigarette out"
5: to operate or produce by turning a crank "~ a hand organ" ~ vi 1: to perform the operation of grinding
2: to become pulverized, polished, or sharpened by friction
3: to move with difficulty or friction esp. so as to make a grating noise "gears ~ing"
4: drudge; esp: to study hard "~ for an exam"
5: to rotate the hips in an erotic manner (as in a burlesque striptease) -- grind.ing.ly adv
[2]grind n (13c) 1 a: an act of grinding b: the sound of grinding
2. a: dreary, monotonous, or difficult labor, study, or routine b: one who works or studies excessively
3: the result of grinding; also: material ground to a particular degree of fineness "a drip ~ of coffee"
4: the act of rotating the hips in an erotic manner syn see work