to crush something into small particles or powder by rubbing it against a rough surface.
Grind the coffee beans fresh each morning.
He grinds pepper onto his steak at the dinner table.
✦ From Old English grindan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch grinden and German grindern.
to rub against something with a harsh or grating sound or motion.
Her teeth grind at night while she sleeps.
The rusty gears grind as the old machine starts.
the sound, action, or result of grinding something.
The grind of the mill wheels echoed through the valley.
There was a terrible grind of metal on metal.
to work or study very hard over a long period, especially at something boring or difficult.
Students often grind through the night before exams.
He grinds away at his job to support his family.
hard, dull, or monotonous work or routine.
The daily grind wore him down after years.
She escaped the nine-to-five grind.
to repeat the same actions many times in a video game to gain experience, levels, or items.
Gamers often grind for hours to level up.
She grinds daily quests in the MMORPG.
✦ From Old English grindan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch grinden and German grindern. Modern gaming sense from repetitive 'grinding' motion.
a machine or device used for grinding substances into powder or small pieces, such as coffee beans or peppercorns.
Put some beans in the coffee grinder.
He turned the handle on the pepper grinder.
✦ Derived from the verb 'grind' (to crush into small particles) + the suffix '-er' (denoting a person or thing that performs the action).
a large sandwich made with a long crusty roll filled with meats, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments.
I'll have a turkey grinder with extra mayo.
The kids shared a huge Italian grinder.
✦ Possibly from the grinding of meat used in the sandwich or from the 'grinders' who ground their own meat; regional US term.
a molar tooth (informal).
I've got a bad grinder at the back.
The dentist filled my grinder.
✦ From the grinding action performed by molars when chewing food.
