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Webster 1913 Edition

Millstone

Mill′stoneˊ

,
Noun.
One of two circular stones used for grinding grain or other substance in a mill{1}.
No man shall take the nether or the upper
millstone
to pledge.
Deut. xxiv. 6.
☞ The cellular siliceous rock called buhrstone is usually employed for millstones; also, some kinds of lava, as that Niedermendig, or other firm rock with rough texture. The surface of a millstone has usually a series of radial grooves in which the powdered material collects.
Millstone girt
(Geol.)
,
a hard and coarse, gritty sandstone, dividing the Carboniferous from the Subcarboniferous strata. See
Farewell rock
, under
Farewell
,
Adj.
, and Chart of
Geology
.
–
To see into a millstone
or
To see through a millstone
,
to see into or through a difficult matter.
(Colloq.)

Webster 1828 Edition

Millstone

MILL'STONE

,
Noun.
A stone used for grinding grain.

Definition 2024

millstone

millstone

English

Noun

millstone ‎(plural millstones)

  1. A large round stone used for grinding grain.
  2. (geology) A coarse-grained sandstone used for making such stones; millstone grit
  3. (figuratively) A heavy responsibility that is difficult to bear.
    Paying the mortgage every month is a millstone round their necks.

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology

From mill +‎ stone

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈmɪlˌstoʊn/

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