1. One of a pair of heavy flat disk-shaped stones that are rotated against one another to grind the grain
   "The old water mill still used traditional millstones to grind wheat"
    
2. (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps
   "she was a millstone around his neck";
   - albatross
    
3. Any load that is difficult to carry
   "His gambling debts became a millstone around his neck"

Derived forms: millstones

Type of: balk, baulk [Brit], burden, check, deterrent, handicap, hinderance [rare], hindrance, impediment, load, loading, stone

Part of: gristmill

Encyclopedia: Millstone, NJ