mill-race

The mill-race flows swiftly under the old wooden waterwheel.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A channel for water to a mill: "mill-race" refers to the fast-moving stream of water that flows through a channel or trough to turn a mill wheel.
   • The current itself: It can also denote the strong, swift flow of water in that channel.

Usage Examples

• (The channel of water was redirected to operate the mill machinery.)
• (The noise of the flowing water in the channel was loud and continuous.)

Advanced Usage

• "to harness the mill-race": to use the water current for mechanical power.

  • Engineers harnessed the mill-race to generate electricity for the old mill. (They used the water flow to produce energy.)

• "mill-race speed": a phrase describing very fast, turbulent movement.

  • The river after the storm ran at mill-race speed. (The water moved as swiftly as in a mill channel.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mill-stream (n): another term for mill-race, often used interchangeably.

  • The mill-stream overflowed its banks after heavy rain. (The channel of water for the mill flooded.)

• Raceway (n): a general term for a channel carrying water for industrial use.

  • The raceway was lined with stone to prevent erosion. (The water channel was reinforced.)

Synonyms

• Flume: an artificial channel for conveying water, especially for power.
• Leat: a man-made watercourse, especially one supplying a mill.

Related Idioms

• "Mill-race of life": a poetic metaphor for the relentless, swift passage of time or events.

  • He felt caught in the mill-race of modern existence. (He felt overwhelmed by the rapid pace of life.)

• "To go like a mill-race": to move with great speed and force.

  • The crowd went like a mill-race through the gates. (The crowd surged forward powerfully.)