I. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from grinden to grind + -ing — more at grind
: an act or the sound of one that grinds
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of grind (I)
1. : used in or suitable for grinding
the grinding teeth
a good grade of white grinding corn
2. of pain
a. : extremely severe and wearing : excruciating , agonizing
b. : of the type characteristic of the early stages of labor
3. : burdensome and oppressive
grinding poverty
a grinding suspicion
especially : extortionate
grinding levies and excessive taxes
4.
a. of sound : harsh and strident
a gritty grinding voice
a bird with a peculiar grinding call
b. : characterized or accompanied by a grinding sound
worn grinding gears
• grindingly adverb