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Grinding vs Pulverizing

English Language & Usage Asked on September 25, 2021

What are the differences between grinding vs pulverizing in terms of reducing the size of nuts or seeds? Which one makes finer particles? Thank you.

grind

  • To reduce to small bits or crush to a fine powder
  • To become crushed, pulverized, or powdered by friction

pulverize

  • To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust
  • To be ground or reduced to powder or dust

(American Heritage Dictionary)

One Answer

If you 'pound' something you strike it repeatedly, for instance by hitting it with a hammer or a club. A stamping machine could also 'pound' something. If you 'grind' something, on the other hand, you apply fairly consistent pressure to the grinding tool and move it in such a way that the tool wears down the substance to be ground. Mill wheels 'grind' as does a pestle in a pestle and mortar.

The definitions of "pulverise" that you give include both "grind" and "pound". This shows that "grinding" and "pounding" are different processes which can contribute to the process of "pulverising" something so "pulverise" is a more general term incorporating both of the others. "Crushing" is another term which can include both "grinding" and "pounding" but can also include "squeezing' which means that it is not a true synonym of "pulverising".

Answered by BoldBen on September 25, 2021

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