millstone

[mil-stohn]

noun

1. either of a pair of circular stones between which grain or another substance is ground, as in a mill.

2. anything that grinds or crushes.

3. any heavy mental or emotional burden (often used in the phrasea millstone around one's neck ).

millstone

/ ˈmɪlˌstəʊn /

noun

1. one of a pair of heavy flat disc-shaped stones that are rotated one against the other to grind grain

2. a heavy burden, such as a responsibility or obligation

   his debts were a millstone round his neck

Word History and Origins

Origin of millstone¹

before 1050; Middle English milneston, Old English mylenstān. See mill ¹, stone

Example Sentences

“As the only sector to record a negative return in Q3, staples was the proverbial millstone around quality’s neck.”

Read more on Barron's

The growth of shorter formats, and especially T20, has played a part and for some national boards Test cricket is seen as a financial millstone amid poor attendances and declining interest.

Read more on BBC

Jayne is one of an estimated one in 20 people in the UK thought to have a hoarding disorder, and is trying a new technique to release the "millstone" around her neck.

Read more on BBC

While he said the charity does an "enormous amount of good work" across the UK "it is beleaguered with the Assured Scheme" which he said was like a "millstone" around the charity's neck.

Read more on BBC

Deciding to dump these millstones, Ben and Jamie head home to Ohio for Thanksgiving and a spectacularly convoluted plan to free themselves from their romantic pasts.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• burden