grit

Universal Words noun, verb noun [U] 1 very small pieces of stone or sand: I had a piece of grit in my eye. * They were spreading grit and salt on the icy roads. 2 the courage and determination that makes it possible for sb to continue doing sth difficult or unpleasant verb (-tt-) [VN] to spread grit, salt or sand on a road that is covered with ice IDIOMS grit your teeth 1 to bite your teeth tightly together: She gritted her teeth against the pain. * 'Stop it!' he said through gritted teeth. 2 to be determined to continue to do sth in a difficult or unpleasant situation: It started to rain harder, but we gritted our teeth and carried on.