mill-wheel

The mill-wheel turns slowly in the clear stream.

Definition

Noun:
- A wheel that drives a mill: "mill-wheel" refers to a large wheel, typically water-powered or wind-powered, that provides the mechanical energy to operate a mill (e.g., for grinding grain). It is a specific component of a mill's machinery.

Usage Examples

Noun:
- The old mill-wheel turned slowly as the stream flowed beneath it. (The large water-powered wheel rotated to drive the mill's grinding stones.)
- Repairing the broken mill-wheel required skilled craftsmanship. (Fixing the damaged wheel needed expert knowledge.)

Advanced Usage

"to turn the mill-wheel": to operate or keep the mill functioning, often used metaphorically to mean keeping a process or system running.
- The constant flow of water turned the mill-wheel day and night. (The water kept the wheel in motion, powering the mill continuously.)
"the mill-wheel of time": a poetic or literary expression comparing the passage of time to the steady, repetitive motion of a mill-wheel.
- The mill-wheel of time grinds slowly but surely. (Time progresses slowly but inexorably.)

Variants and Related Words

Millstone (n): one of two circular stones used in a mill for grinding grain, distinct from the wheel that powers them.
- The miller sharpened the millstone to ensure fine flour. (The stone was prepared for effective grinding.)
Waterwheel (n): a wheel that uses water flow for power, often synonymous with "mill-wheel" in water-powered mills.
- The waterwheel was a common source of energy in medieval Europe. (The wheel harnessed water power.)

Synonyms

Related Idioms

"to put one's shoulder to the mill-wheel": to work hard or put effort into a task (a less common variant of "put one's shoulder to the wheel").
- If we want to finish the project on time, we must all put our shoulders to the mill-wheel. (We must work diligently together.)

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