threshing-machine

A farmer uses a threshing-machine to separate grain from stalks in the field.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Agricultural machinery: A "threshing-machine" is a mechanical device used in farming to separate grain from the stalks and husks of cereal plants, such as wheat or rice. It performs the process of threshing, which was traditionally done by hand with a flail.

Usage Examples

• (A machine that separates grain from stalks.)
• (A device used for mechanical threshing.)

Advanced Usage

• "to run a threshing-machine": to operate this agricultural machine.

  • He learned how to run the threshing-machine during the summer harvest. (He operated the machine to process grain.)

• "threshing-machine operator": a person who works with the machine.

  • The threshing-machine operator ensured the grain was cleanly separated. (The person responsible for the machine's operation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Threshing (n): the process of separating grain from stalks.

  • Threshing is done after the crops are cut and dried. (The action of separating grain.)

• Thresher (n): a person or machine that threshes.

  • The thresher worked tirelessly during the harvest season. (A person who threshes.)

• Machine (n): a device with moving parts that performs work.

  • A threshing-machine is a specialized type of machine. (General term for mechanical equipment.)

Synonyms

• Grain separator: a device that separates grain from chaff.
• Harvester: a broader term for machines that cut and process crops (though a threshing-machine specifically handles threshing, not cutting).

Phrasal Verbs

• Thresh out: to separate or extract something thoroughly.
  • They threshed out the grain using the machine. (They separated the grain completely.)

Related Idioms

• Separate the wheat from the chaff: to distinguish valuable from worthless items (metaphorically based on threshing).
  • The test will separate the wheat from the chaff among the students. (Distinguish good from poor performance.)