Main Entry: ¹grind

Pronunciation: \ˈgrīnd\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ground \ˈgrau̇nd\; 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 grinding>
4 : drudge; especially : to study hard <grind for an exam>
5 : to rotate the hips in an erotic manner

— grind·ing·ly \ˈgrīn-diŋ-lē\ adverb