Millstone
noun
One of a pair of heavy flat round stones that are used for grinding grain.
Before modern technologies, millstones were used in mills to grind corn into flour.
noun
Something that is very difficult and prevents people or organizations from succeeding or making progress.
His lack of education is a millstone around his neck.
Often appears as...
- millstone around neck
- millstone around one's neck
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
noun
One of a pair of heavy flat round stones that are used for grinding grain.
Before modern technologies, millstones were used in mills to grind corn into flour.
noun
Something that is very difficult and prevents people or organizations from succeeding or making progress.
His lack of education is a millstone around his neck.
Often appears as...
- millstone around neck
- millstone around one's neck
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Tool
Understand that 'millstone' refers to an old milling technology; it's not used in modern contexts except historically.
Museums display millstones as relics of ancient grain processing.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use
'Millstone' is rarely used in a literal manner today, but when it is, it's referring to the actual stone.
He managed to restore an old millstone to use in his organic milling.
Pro Tip 3/3Hand Grinding
Smaller versions, called 'querns', were used by hand and can also be referred to as 'millstones' in some contexts.
She demonstrated how to grind wheat using a quern or handheld millstone.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Tool
Understand that 'millstone' refers to an old milling technology; it's not used in modern contexts except historically.
Museums display millstones as relics of ancient grain processing.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use
'Millstone' is rarely used in a literal manner today, but when it is, it's referring to the actual stone.
He managed to restore an old millstone to use in his organic milling.
Pro Tip 3/3Hand Grinding
Smaller versions, called 'querns', were used by hand and can also be referred to as 'millstones' in some contexts.
She demonstrated how to grind wheat using a quern or handheld millstone.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Tool
Understand that 'millstone' refers to an old milling technology; it's not used in modern contexts except historically.
Museums display millstones as relics of ancient grain processing.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use
'Millstone' is rarely used in a literal manner today, but when it is, it's referring to the actual stone.
He managed to restore an old millstone to use in his organic milling.
Pro Tip 3/3Hand Grinding
Smaller versions, called 'querns', were used by hand and can also be referred to as 'millstones' in some contexts.
She demonstrated how to grind wheat using a quern or handheld millstone.
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Video examples
Tierney Thys: Swim with...
but it's actually Latin for millstone, and that's attributable to their roundish, very bizarre, cut-off shape. It's as if, as they were growing, they just forgot the tail part. And that's actually what drew me to the Mola in the first place, was this terribly bizarre shape.
Video examples
DE Finalist PIPE National...
here at white clay creek state park there are many hiking trails my favorite the Millstone trail is here to millstone where there's an array of huge rocks perfect for climbing and exploring a
Video examples
Tierney Thys: Swim with...
but it's actually Latin for millstone, and that's attributable to their roundish, very bizarre, cut-off shape. It's as if, as they were growing, they just forgot the tail part. And that's actually what drew me to the Mola in the first place, was this terribly bizarre shape.
Video examples
DE Finalist PIPE National...
here at white clay creek state park there are many hiking trails my favorite the Millstone trail is here to millstone where there's an array of huge rocks perfect for climbing and exploring a
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Vince Cable
British Politician
I fear that the rising personal bankruptcies and repossessions are the first signs of bigger problems to come and personal debt - Gordon Brown's legacy to millions of Britain's families - will hang like a millstone around the neck of the British people for years to come.
Quote examples
Ian Mckellen
English Actor
Personally, coming out was one of the most important things I've ever done, lifting from my shoulders the millstone of lies that I hadn't even realized I was carrying.
Quote examples
Graham Greene
British Novelist
Against the beautiful and the clever and the successful, one can wage a pitiless war, but not against the unattractive: then the millstone weighs on the breast.
Quote examples
Zephyr Teachout
American Lawyer
I joke about it being a millstone, but it never hurts to have a name that sticks out.
Quote examples
Robert Plant
British Musician
The past is a stepping stone, not a millstone.
Quote examples
Vince Cable
British Politician
I fear that the rising personal bankruptcies and repossessions are the first signs of bigger problems to come and personal debt - Gordon Brown's legacy to millions of Britain's families - will hang like a millstone around the neck of the British people for years to come.
Quote examples
Ian Mckellen
English Actor
Personally, coming out was one of the most important things I've ever done, lifting from my shoulders the millstone of lies that I hadn't even realized I was carrying.
Quote examples
Graham Greene
British Novelist
Against the beautiful and the clever and the successful, one can wage a pitiless war, but not against the unattractive: then the millstone weighs on the breast.
Quote examples
Zephyr Teachout
American Lawyer
I joke about it being a millstone, but it never hurts to have a name that sticks out.
Quote examples
Robert Plant
British Musician
The past is a stepping stone, not a millstone.
Example 1 of 5
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