Meaning of Gristle | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Cartilage; now especially: cartilage present, as a tough substance, in meat.
   countable, uncountable
2. Bone not yet hardened by age and hard work.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“When you're chewing on life's gristle Don't grumble, give⟳ a whistle And this'll help⟳ things turn⟳ out for the best[…]”

“But she was tired of cell culture, tired of meticulously cutting away dead tissue like⟳ gristle from a steak […]”

“And it is a hard and cruel thing thus in early youth to taste⟳ beforehand the pangs which should be reserved for the stout time of manhood, when the gristle has become⟳ bone, and we stand⟳ up and fight⟳ out our lives, as a thing tried before and foreseen; for then we are veterans used to sieges and battles, and not green recruits, recoiling at the first shock⟳ of the encounter.”

“Look⟳ at Adam through the rest⟳ of the day, as he stands on the scaffolding with the two-feet ruler in his hand, whistling low while he considers how a difficulty about a floor-joist or a window-frame is to be overcome⟳; or as he pushes one of the younger workmen aside and takes his place⟳ in upheaving a weight of timber, saying, "Let⟳ alone, lad! Thee'st got too much gristle i' thy bones yet"; or as he fixes his keen black eyes on the motions of a workman on the other side of the room and warns him that his distances are not right.”

“1885, Ada Sarah Ballin, The Science of Dress in Theory and Practice, It. must be borne in mind⟳ that the bones of a young infant are little more than gristle, and are liable to bend⟳, and so become⟳ deformed.”

“"The young 'un will make⟳ his way," said Belcher, who had come⟳ across to us. "He's more a sparrer than a fighter just at present⟳, but when his gristle sets he'll take⟳ on anything on the list.”

CEFR level