grinding

Etymology

From Middle English gryndynge, equivalent to grind + -ing.

verb

1. present participle and gerund of grind

noun

1. The action of grinding together or crushing into small particles.
   Ominous creakings and grindings came from the innards of the machine.
2. (dance) A form of dance in which two people rub their bodies together.
3. (roleplaying games, gaming) Repeatedly performing the same quest or similar in-game activity in order to amass points or wealth.

adj

1. Of or pertaining to the act or sound of grinding.
   The meeting came to a grinding halt when the two sides could not agree.
2. Relentlessly taxing; burdensome; exacting to the point of exhaustion.
   A week of filled with grinding toil.
3. (obsolete) Crushing; oppressive; overwhelming.