Millstone

Pronunciation: /ˈmɪlˌstoʊn/

Definitions of millstone

noun something that is a heavy burden or obstacle

Example Sentences

A1 The millstone was used to grind wheat into flour.

A2 The farmer used a heavy millstone to crush the grains.

B1 The ancient millstone was made of granite and weighed several tons.

B2 The millstone was meticulously carved by skilled craftsmen to ensure smooth grinding.

C1 The millstone's rotation speed can be adjusted to control the fineness of the flour.

C2 The millstone's grooves were carefully maintained to prevent overheating during the grinding process.

Examples of millstone in a Sentence

formal The millstone was used to grind wheat into flour in the ancient mill.

informal I can't believe I have to carry this millstone all the way to the top of the hill.

slang I feel like a millstone around his neck, always dragging him down.

figurative Her guilt was like a heavy millstone around her neck, weighing her down.

Grammatical Forms of millstone

• past tense: milled
• plural: millstones
• comparative: more millstone
• superlative: most millstone
• present tense: millstone
• future tense: will millstone
• perfect tense: have milled
• continuous tense: is milling
• singular: millstone
• positive degree: millstone
• infinitive: to millstone
• gerund: milling
• participle: milling

Origin and Evolution of millstone

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'millstone' originated from Old English 'mylenstan', which was derived from the combination of 'mylen' meaning mill and 'stan' meaning stone.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to the large stones used in mills for grinding grains, the term 'millstone' has evolved to also symbolize a heavy burden or responsibility that is difficult to escape or overcome.