Word: mill Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English mylne, mille, from Old English mylen, from Proto-West Germanic *mulīnu (“mill”), from Late Latin molīna, molīnum, molīnus (“mill”), from Latin molō (“grind, mill”, verb), closely allied to Proto-Germanic *muljaną (“to crush, grind”) (see English millstone). Perhaps cognate with Milne (a surname). Doublet of moline, moulin, and blin. Pronunciation: /mɪl/, [mɪɫ], [mɪo̯], [mɪʊ̯] 1. A grinding apparatus for substances such as grains, seeds, etc. (Some are small and simple, and some are large and complex.) Example: Pepper has a stronger flavor when it is ground straight from a mill. 2. The building housing such a grinding apparatus; also, any similar building that houses a similarly material activity (such as weaving, fulling, dying, etc.); the place of business comprising such a building and its outbuildings and grounds. Example: My great-grandfather worked in a mill. He filled the flour sacks and then carried and loaded them. Example: […] for the Townsfolk will go to thy mill, and grind their corn […] at their own good pleasure; nor can I hinder them, since they are free men. 3. A machine used for expelling the juice, sap, etc., from vegetable tissues by pressure, or by pressure in combination with a grinding, or cutting process; any similar apparatus that otherwise processes. Example: a cider mill; a cane mill 4. A machine for grinding and polishing. Example: a lapidary mill 5. A milling machine for machining of solid metal, wood, or plastic. Example: Several machinists were busy operating the lathes, mills, and drill presses on the shop floor. 6. A milling cutter used on such a machine. Example: After the drilling and tapping operations, we come in with a mill and do some contouring. 7. A manufacturing plant for paper, steel, textiles, flooring, and some other kinds of materials. Example: Once the billet gets through the 56-inch mill, it is ready for reheating. 8. The building complex housing such a plant; the place of business comprising such buildings and their grounds. Example: My grandfather worked in a mill. He operated machinery, did maintenance, and drove forklifts. 9. An establishment that handles a certain type of situation or procedure routinely, or produces large quantities of an item without much regard to quality. (The notion of churning out massive amounts indiscriminately underlies the figurative metaphor.) Labels: derogatory, figuratively, usually Example: Those shysters selling the purebreds are running quite a mill over there, eh? 10. An institution or pseudo-institutional business awarding credentials (such as diplomas, degrees, certificates, or certifications) of either dubious value or fraudulent nature; one selling essays or other documents for the buyers (usually students) to fraudulently pass off as their own. Labels: derogatory, figuratively Example: Those shysters cranking out the "IT training certificates" are running quite a mill over there, eh? 11. An engine. Labels: informal Example: Under the hood is a mill that you and I can't afford — a nitrous-blown hemi with custom heads. 12. A boxing match or fistfight. Labels: archaic, informal Example: They were betting big on a great mill, but they didn't realize that the fix was in. Example: […] he is relieved from present responsibility to the Chicken, by the absence of that game head of poultry in the country, training (at Toots's cost) for his great mill with the Larkey Boy. 13. A hardened steel roller with a design in relief, used for imprinting a reversed copy of the design in a softer metal, such as copper. 14. An excavation in rock, transverse to the workings, from which material for filling is obtained. Example: They pulled me off the main crew and had me digging in the mill. 15. A passage underground through which ore is shot. Example: Near-synonym: country Example: The geologists were responsible for keeping the work within the mill. 16. The raised or ridged edge or surface made in milling anything, such as a coin or screw. 17. A prison treadmill. Labels: historical Example: They kept us in line by threatening to put us on the mill twice as long if we complained. Example: Next morning they put me on the treadmill along with the others: At first, not knowing how to dance it, I cut all my shin with the steps; they did not flog me then — […] They keep on putting her on the mill for a week, and flog her every time […] 18. A military prison, either guardhouse or post prison. Labels: US, World-War-I, slang Example: He spent some time in the mill after that escapade. 19. A delousing station: a cootie mill. Labels: World-War-I, slang 20. A typewriter used to transcribe messages received. Example: In other words, get a mill in your operating position by hook or crook and use it regularly. At the N.C.R. Radio Schools touch typing is taught at the same time code proficiency is advanced. Example: You can read it all right, but the pencil seems to be getting a little sluggish — better make a grab for a "mill."