quirn
English
Etymology
From Middle English quirne, querne, from Old English cweorn, from Proto-Germanic *kwernō.
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)n
Noun
quirn (plural quirns)
- A mill for grinding grain, the upper stone of which is turned by hand.
Quotations
- "They made him at the querne grind." Chaucer.
- "And grind it without quirn or mill." extracted from the Elfin Knight.
References
- http://www.hydroponicsearch.com/spelling/simplesearch/query_term-quern/database-gcide/strategy-exact (Saturday September 1, 2007)
- http://www.springthyme.co.uk/ballads/balladtexts/02_ElfinKnight.html (Saturday September 1, 2007)