Grind"stone` (?), n. A flat, circular stone, revolving on an axle, for grinding or sharpening tools, or shaping or smoothing objects.

Tohold, pat, or bringone's nose to the grindstone, to oppress one; to keep one in a condition of servitude.

They might be ashamed, for lack of courage, to suffer the Lacedæmonians to hold their noses to the grindstone.

Sir T. North.