milling

American  

[mil-ing] / ˈmɪl ɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of subjecting something to the operation of a mill.

2. an act or process of producing plane or shaped surfaces with a milling machine.

3. Coining.

   1. an act or process of making a raised edge on a coin or the like.

   2. an act or process of making narrow, radial grooves on such a raised edge.

   3. a number of grooves so made.

4. Slang. a beating or thrashing.

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milling British  

/ ˈmɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of grinding, cutting, pressing, or crushing in a mill

2. the vertical grooves or fluting on the edge of a coin, etc

3. (in W North America) a method of halting a stampede of cattle by turning the leaders in a wide arc until the herd turns in upon itself in a tightening spiral

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Etymology

Origin of milling

1425–75; late Middle English. See mill ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Basically, the party is your typical glamorous Hallmark Christmas Movie of the Week, with lots of well-heeled guests milling around, but with more expensive furniture and better interior design.

From MarketWatch

Hundreds of tourists could be seen milling around the fountain Friday, many holding phones aloft to snap pictures.

From Barron's

People were anxiously milling about, some crying and in shock.

From BBC

Some of the other players were milling around.

From Literature

Starch grains from wheat and barley, along with clear signs of milling, cooking, and baking, indicated that his meals included cooked wheat semolina and baked wheat bread.

From Science Daily