water mill
1
3.6
- noun
- /ˈwɔːtər mɪl/
:
molino de agua
- The present study will examine the Northern Song emperors' patronage of water mills and other innovations of hydraulic engineering.
- patronage of the water mill
- visits to water mills
Examples
-
They decided to renovate the historic water mill to preserve its unique mechanical design.
-
The old water mill by the river still operates, grinding grain for local farmers.
-
In this way, the water mill became a significant machine in the national development of the Northern Song dynasty.
Academic text (2002) -
Once they did, though, they not only built water mills, but they developed windmills as well.
Blog text (28) -
Thus, as long as the literature exists, the meaning of the water mill will not be lost or misunderstood.
Academic text (2002) -
A rare example from this golden age is a horizontal scroll that represents a water mill, now in the Shanghai Museum.
Academic text (2002) -
The Shanghai Water Mill is the earliest surviving image of the water mill in Chinese art.
Academic text (2002) -
Late in the Northern Song period, the water mill merged with the landscape to form a new theme in painting.
Academic text (2002) -
In any event, both the astronomical clock and the water mill were machines of hydraulic engineering.
Academic text (2002) -
For example, in the East River at New York City, the Verdant Power Co. has installed submerged water mills.
Academic text (2009)
Synonyms
171
2.3
A building where things are made or raw materials are processed
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a mill powered by water' is directly and compositionally derived from 'water' (the liquid) modifying 'mill' (a grinding or mechanical device). This modifier–head compound follows a common, cross-linguistically familiar pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Water mill comes from a simple picture: flowing water turns a big wheel that powers the mill inside a building to grind grain. So a water mill is a building that uses moving water to do work, such as 'grinding' grain.