hand-mill
Noun: - A device for grinding grain or other materials operated by hand: A "hand-mill" is a simple, manual grinding apparatus, typically consisting of two circular stones or metal plates, one stationary and one rotated by a handle, used to grind substances like coffee beans, pepper, or grain into powder or flour.
- (A manual grinding device operated by hand.)
- (A small, hand-operated grinder for spices.)
"to work a hand-mill": to operate this grinding device manually.
- Before the industrial era, every household had to work a hand-mill daily. (To use the manual grinder regularly.)
"hand-mill ground": describing a substance ground using such a device.
- Hand-mill ground coffee has a coarser texture than machine-ground coffee. (Coffee ground by a manual mill.)
Handmill (n): an alternative spelling of "hand-mill," meaning the same device.
- The antique handmill was displayed in the museum. (A manually operated grinding tool.)
Millstone (n): one of the two circular stones used in a hand-mill or larger mill.
- The millstone was worn smooth from years of use. (A stone component of a grinding mill.)
- Quern: a primitive, hand-operated mill for grinding grain, consisting of two stones.
- Grinder: a device for grinding substances, often hand-operated (e.g., a pepper grinder).
"To put one's hand to the mill": an archaic idiom meaning to start working hard or to apply oneself to a task.
- He put his hand to the mill and ground the corn for the village. (He began the laborious task of grinding.)
"To grind one's own corn": a figurative expression meaning to be self-sufficient or to handle one's own basic needs.
- With a hand-mill, they could grind their own corn and be independent. (To manage one's own essential tasks.)