grinder meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

grinder

noun

UK /ˈɡɹaɪndə/ · US /ˈɡɹaɪndəɹ/

Etymology From Middle English grinder, grindere, from Old English grindere (“one or that which grinds; grinder”), equivalent to grind + -er.

18 senses

One who grinds something, such as the teeth.

scissors grinder (one who sharpens scissors)
Masseter hypertrophy may become apparent in persistent grinders.2010, A. J. Larner, A Dictionary of Neurological Signs, page 68:

Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences A molar.

Slang Any tooth.

› Any of various machines or devices that…

Any of various power tools with a spinning abrasive disc, used for smoothing, shaping, or deburring materials, usually metal.

A grinding machine: any of various machine tools for grinding (either heavy or light grinding, but precise either way).

Any of various pieces of heavy equipment for grinding.

Northern US A sandwich made on a long, cylindrical roll.

Especially Connecticut; Vermont; especially Connecticut; Vermont

I am going to the deli to get a grinder for lunch.
It was reported that the recipes for the secret sauce and grinder sandwiches were proprietary, known only to the current president of the corporation and the former owner of the restaurant.1996, Michael Craig Budden, Protecting Trade Secrets under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books, →ISBN, page 20:

Northern US, Pennsylvania In particular, a submarine sandwich (hoagie) that is toasted or baked and typically does not contain lettuce.

Especially Connecticut; Vermont

A kitchen gadget for processing coffee, herbs etc. into small or powdered pieces.

The restless flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta) of Australia, which makes a noise like a scissors grinder.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music Slang A fan or performer of grindcore music.

Slang A biohacker who uses cybernetic implants or biochemicals to enhance or change their own body.

Rich Lee – one of the organisers of Grindfest, and the Transhumanist Party’s ‘bio-hacking adviser’ – estimates that there are around 3,000 grinders in the US, and many more bio-hackers.2017, Jamie Bartlett, chapter 1, in Radicals:

Dated, Slang A student who studies hard; a swot.

Dated, Slang A person who coaches students for an upcoming examination.

Hobbies, Ice hockey, Lifestyle, Skating, Sports Slang A hard-working, physical player with limited offensive ability.

A low-ranking attorney with no clients who works very hard.

Government, Military, Politics, War US, Slang An outdoor space for drills and parades.

We were told then and there that we wouldn't be allowed on the grinder again until we could do a lot better. The grinder is what that large area was called, and it was a fitting name. They literally ground us down on it.2019, Chas Romeo, U.S.M.C.:
Company formations are held on the grinder (basketball court outside the Quarterdeck).2013, USMC Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC / TC3) Guidelines:

Broadcasting, Media, Radio Informal Atmospheric interference producing a roaring background noise.

Synonyms: sub
Derived terms: angle grinder, bench grinder, coffee grinder, crumb grinder, cryogrinder, die grinder, fork grinder, genogrinder, gerund-grinder, gooseberry-grinder, Gospel grinder, knifegrinder, knife grinder, meat grinder, meatgrinder, minigrinder, organ grinder, rail grinder, razor grinder, sawgrinder, smoke grinder, stump grinder, the organ grinder, not the monkey, universal grinder