millstone
UK[ˈmɪlstəʊn]US[ˈmɪlstoʊn]
n
one of a pair of large, circular, flat stones used, especially in the past, to crush grain into flour in a mill
n
a problem or responsibility that is very difficult to bear and prevents you from making progress
Morpheme Breakdown
mill
stone
mill
stone
Etymology
the word 'millstone' is a transparent compound from old english, directly combining 'mill' and 'stone'. its literal meaning refers to the heavy, paired stones used in a grain mill for grinding, a technology dating back to antiquity. the figurative sense of a burdensome obstacle or responsibility emerged naturally from the physical characteristics of the stones—their immense weight and their essential, inescapable role in the grinding process. this evolution from a concrete tool to a metaphor for a crippling burden showcases how everyday objects from agrarian life have shaped abstract expressions in the language.
Analysis
Structure: mill + stone
mill (from old english 'mylen', meaning a building with machinery for grinding grain); stone (from old english 'stān', meaning the hard, solid substance)
Examples
the old millstone was turned by the power of the waterwheel.
the debt became a millstone around the company's neck, dragging it into bankruptcy.
he felt the expectations of his family were a millstone preventing him from pursuing his own dreams.