'Grinder's phthisis' definitions:

Definition of 'Grinder's phthisis'

From: GCIDE
  • Grinder \Grind"er\, n.
  • 1. One who, or that which, grinds. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. One of the double teeth, used to grind or masticate the food; a molar. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Zool.) The restless flycatcher (Seisura inquieta) of Australia; -- called also restless thrush and {volatile thrush}. It makes a noise like a scissors grinder, to which the name alludes.
  • 4. A submarine sandwich. [local, U.S.]
  • Syn: submarine, hoagie. [PJC]
  • Grinder's asthma, Grinder's phthisis, or Grinder's rot (Med.), a lung disease produced by the mechanical irritation of the particles of steel and stone given off in the operation of grinding. [1913 Webster]