Milltail is a word often used in the textile industry to refer to the end of a spool of yarn or thread. Its spelling is derived from its Middle English roots and is phonetically transcribed as /mɪltel/. The first syllable "mill" refers to the milling process of turning raw materials into textiles. The second syllable "tail" refers to the tail end of the spool. While not a commonly used word, milltail is still found in the jargon of textile workers around the world.
Milltail is a noun that refers to the flour or fine particles that are left at the bottom of a milling machine or grinder after the main product, such as wheat or corn, has been processed. It is typically composed of the remnants of the outer shell or husk of the grain, as well as the residual powder or fragments from the grinding process.
The term "milltail" originated from the combination of "mill," which refers to the machinery used for grinding or crushing grains, and "tail," which symbolizes the residue or leftover material. It is commonly used in the context of flour mills or food processing industries where grains are pulverized into a usable form.
Milltail is often collected and separated from the main product as it is considered less desirable due to its coarser texture and reduced nutritional value compared to the refined flour or meal. However, it may find uses in animal feed production or as an additive in certain food products.
The amount and quality of milltail can vary depending on the type of grain being processed and the efficiency of the milling machine. Its presence can be seen as an indicator of the effectiveness of the milling process, as a significant amount of milltail suggests incomplete pulverization of the grain.