[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/millstone/)

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# millstone

noun (a millstone, millstones)

«millstone» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A millstone is one of a pair of large, round, flat stones used in a mill to grind grain into flour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#m1)
2. A millstone (round your neck) is a heavy problem or responsibility you can't get rid of. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#m2)

### In the lessons

In history lessons on old mills and bread; in sayings and the Bible; in news: debt can be «a millstone round someone's neck».

### Examples

- The millstone turned slowly and ground the wheat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#x1)
- Old millstones are sometimes used in gardens. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#x2)
- The river turned the wheel that turned the millstone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#x3)
- The debt was a millstone round his neck. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#x4)
- A millstone is very heavy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#x5)
- Jesus spoke of a millstone in one of his warnings in the Gospels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#x6)
- Four millstones formed his shield, and on a box-tree close by hung his giant sword. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/#x7)

### Note

Plural: millstones. The phrase is «a millstone round/around your neck». A «milestone» (an important stage) is a different word.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it is the upper stone of a hand-mill, which turns on the lower stone to grind grain. Elsewhere the Tanakh uses it for a hard heart "firm as the nether millstone", as a weapon (a woman threw one on Abimelech), and as grinding work done by captives.

**Interpretation.** It may not be taken as a pledge, since it is needed to make food. The law is read as protecting a person's livelihood; taking it is like taking his life. The story of Abimelech is read by tradition as a punishment that fitted his crime.

### Examples

- No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone to pledge; for he taketh a man's life to pledge. (Torah DEU.24.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/millstone/#x1)
- His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, firm as the nether millstone. (Writings JOB.41.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/millstone/#x2)
- And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon Abimelech's head, and broke his skull. (Prophets JDG.9.53, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/millstone/#x3)
- Take the millstones, and grind meal; remove thy veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers. (Prophets ISA.47.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/millstone/#x4)

### Note

Plural: millstones. The phrase is «a millstone round/around your neck». A «milestone» (an important stage) is a different word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «millstone» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/millstone/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«millstone» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/millstone.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «millstone» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/millstone/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«millstone» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/millstone.html) on Mova free.