gritting

Variant of grit

noun

  1. rough, hard particles of sand, stone, etc.
  2. the texture of stone, with regard to the fineness or coarseness of its grain
  3. any of several sandstones with large, sharp grains, often used for grindstones
  4. ☆ stubborn courage; brave perseverance; pluck

Origin: with Early ModE vowel shortening < ME grete < OE greot, akin to Ger griess IE base *ghrēu-, to rub hard over, crumble > great

transitive verb gritted, gritting

  1. to cover with grit
  2. ☆ to clench or grind (the teeth) in anger or determination

intransitive verb

to make a grating sound
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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