catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Grindstone \Grind"stone`\, n.
     A flat, circular stone, revolving on an axle, for grinding or
     sharpening tools, or shaping or smoothing objects.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     To hold one's nose to the grindstone, To bring one's nose
     to the grindstone, to oppress one; to keep one in a
        condition of servitude.
  
     To put one's nose to the grindstone
     (a) to oppress one; to cause one to work hard and steadily.
     (b) to set oneself to a long and arduous task.
  
     To keep one's nose to the grindstone to continue at a long
        and arduous task; to apply oneself steadily to one's
        duties.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
              They might be ashamed, for lack of courage, to
              suffer the Laced[ae]monians to hold their noses to
              the grindstone.                       --Sir T.
                                                    North.
        [1913 Webster]

  Nose \Nose\ (n[=o]z), n. [AS. nosu; akin to D. neus, G. nase,
     OHG. nasa, Icel. n["o]s, Sw. n["a]sa, Dan. n["a]se, Lith.
     nosis, Russ. nos', L. nasus, nares, Skr. n[=a]s[=a], n[=a]s.
     [root]261. Cf. Nasal, Nasturtium, Naze, Nostril,
     Nozzle.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Anat.) The prominent part of the face or anterior
        extremity of the head containing the nostrils and
        olfactory cavities; the olfactory organ. See Nostril,
        and Olfactory organ under Olfactory.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The power of smelling; hence, scent.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              We are not offended with a dog for a better nose
              than his master.                      --Collier.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A projecting end or beak at the front of an object; a
        snout; a nozzle; a spout; as, the nose of a bellows; the
        nose of a teakettle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Nose bit (Carp.), a bit similar to a gouge bit, but having
        a cutting edge on one side of its boring end.
  
     Nose hammer (Mach.), a frontal hammer.
  
     Nose hole (Glass Making), a small opening in a furnace,
        before which a globe of crown glass is held and kept soft
        at the beginning of the flattening process.
  
     Nose key (Carp.), a fox wedge.
  
     Nose leaf (Zo["o]l.), a thin, broad, membranous fold of
        skin on the nose of many species of bats. It varies
        greatly in size and form.
  
     Nose of wax, (fig.), a person who is pliant and easily
        influenced. ``A nose of wax to be turned every way.''
        --Massinger
  
     Nose piece, the nozzle of a pipe, hose, bellows, etc.; the
        end piece of a microscope body, to which an objective is
        attached.
  
     To hold one's nose to the grindstone, To put one's nose to
     the grindstone, or To bring one's nose to the grindstone.
        See under Grindstone.
  
     To lead by the nose, to lead at pleasure, or to cause to
        follow submissively; to lead blindly, as a person leads a
        beast. --Shak.
  
     To put one's nose out of joint, to humiliate one's pride,
        esp. by supplanting one in the affections of another.
        [Slang]
  
     To thrust one's nose into, to meddle officiously in.
  
     To wipe one's nose of, to deprive of; to rob. [Slang]
  
     on the nose,
        (a) exactly, accurately.
        (b) (racing) to win, as opposed to to place or to
            show.
            [1913 Webster +PJC]