Definition

Noun: 1. The process of grinding or crushing a substance into small particles or powder: This refers to the industrial or mechanical action of using a mill. 2. The process of shaping, smoothing, or finishing a material (especially metal) using a rotating cutter: This is a common machining operation. 3. A corrugated or ridged edge on a coin: This is the raised rim with grooves, often added to prevent clipping or filing of precious metal.

Examples

• Process of grinding:
  • The milling of wheat into flour is a crucial step in bread production.
  • The factory specializes in the milling of industrial minerals.
• Machining process:
  • Precision milling is required to create the complex components for the engine.
  • The part was finished using a computer-controlled milling machine.
• Coin edge:
  • Older silver dollars often have a distinctive milling on their edges.
  • The security feature includes both a milling and micro-lettering on the coin's rim.

Advanced Usage

• "Milling about/around": (Phrasal verb, from the verb 'to mill') To move around in a confused mass or crowd without a clear purpose or direction.
  • Crowds of tourists were milling about in the town square.

Variants and Related Words

• Mill (verb): To grind or crush in a mill; to move around in a confused crowd.
• Mill (noun): A building equipped with machinery for grinding grain; a machine for grinding or crushing; a factory for certain manufacturing processes (e.g., paper mill, steel mill).
• Miller (noun): A person who owns or operates a mill, especially for grinding grain.
• Milled (adjective): Having been processed in a mill; (of a coin) having a grooved edge.

Synonyms

• For grinding: Grinding, crushing, pulverizing.
• For machining: Machining, cutting.
• For coin edge: Reeding, grooving, serration.

Phrasal Verbs

• Mill about/around: (See "Advanced Usage" above).

Noun

1. corrugated edge of a coin