How Do You Spell MOULIN?

Pronunciation: [mˈuːlɪn] (IPA)

The word "moulin" is spelled as [muˈlɛ̃] in IPA phonetic transcription. The letter "m" represents the onset consonant sound /m/. The letter "o" represents the vowel sound /u/. The letters "i" and "l" represent the consonant sounds /ɛ̃/ and /l/ respectively. The final nasal vowel sound /ɛ̃/ is not represented by a separate letter in English, making the spelling of "moulin" unique. This word is a French term for a type of vertical shaft that drills through ice and compact snow in glaciers.

MOULIN Meaning and Definition

1. A "moulin" is a term commonly used in glaciology and geomorphology and refers to a vertical shaft or a pothole that forms in a glacier as a result of meltwater trickling through a crevasse or a hole on its surface. The term "moulin" originates from the French word for "mill" due to its characteristic cylindrical shape resembling a grain mill.

   These natural features are typically found in areas with a dense network of crevasses. Moulins can vary in size, ranging from a few centimeters to several meters in diameter, and can extend from the surface down to the interior of the glacier, sometimes even reaching the bottom. The walls of a moulin are often composed of ice, which can be smooth or rough, and they are usually shaped by the continuous movement of water within the glacier.

   Moulins act as conduits for water that originates from melting snow or ice on the glacier's surface, allowing it to reach the base. This influx of water can lubricate the base of the glacier, promoting its sliding motion and influencing its overall flow. Additionally, moulins play a crucial role in transporting sediment and debris from the surface to the base of the glacier, affecting its erosional capacity and potentially impacting downstream environments.

   The study of moulins is essential for understanding glacial dynamics, the formation of ice caves, and the transport of sediment within glaciers. Their significance also extends to climate change research, as changes in meltwater routing through moulins can have implications for ice mass loss and sea level rise.

Etymology of MOULIN

The word "moulin" has its etymology in French. It comes from the Old French term "molin" which means "mill". It can be traced back further to the Latin word "molīnum", derived from "mola" meaning "millstone". Ultimately, this Latin term can be attributed to the Proto-Indo-European root "*melə-" which denotes "to crush" or "to grind".

Plural form of MOULIN is MOULINS