POST MILL Meaning and
Definition
-
Post mill is a descriptive term used to refer to a specific type of windmill, primarily found in Europe during the medieval and early modern periods. The term derives from the structure's distinctive design, where the entire mill body revolves around a vertical central post, known as the post mill.
The post mill consists of a tall, cylindrical body that houses the main machinery responsible for grinding grain or pumping water. This body is mounted on a large, horizontal wooden crossbeam, which itself is connected to the central post. This arrangement allows the entire mill structure to be manually rotated to face the wind, ensuring optimal efficiency. To facilitate turning, post mills are built on a mound or raised platform that allows them to pivot freely.
Post mills typically have a number of features, such as a cap and sails that also rotate with the body. The cap houses a fantail, an apparatus that helps automatically adjust the position of the mill to face the strongest wind. The sails, made of cloth or wooden planks, are attached to a horizontal mechanism known as a windshaft, which in turn drives the millstones or other machinery within the body.
Historically, post mills played a crucial role in agriculture and industry by harnessing wind power to facilitate tasks like grinding grain or draining marshlands. However, with the advancement of technology, their presence has significantly diminished, and they are now primarily found in open-air museums or as historical landmarks. The design and mechanics of the post mill make it an important cultural and engineering landmark, encapsulating the ingenuity of early windmill technology.
Common Misspellings for POST MILL
- oost mill
- lost mill
- -ost mill
- 0ost mill
- pist mill
- pkst mill
- plst mill
- ppst mill
- p0st mill
- p9st mill
- poat mill
- pozt mill
- poxt mill
- podt mill
- poet mill
- powt mill
- posr mill
- posf mill
- posg mill
- posy mill
Etymology of POST MILL
The word "post mill" has a fairly straightforward etymology.
The term "mill" is derived from the Old English word "mylen" or "millan", which traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "melinaz". This eventually leads to the Old Norse word "mǫln", meaning "grind", and the Old High German word "mulīn", meaning "mill".
The term "post" in "post mill" refers to the construction method of this type of windmill. Post mills have a tall wooden post or pole that stands vertically and supports the entire structure. This post is planted firmly into the ground, and the entire mill rotates around it to face the wind.
Thus, combining the words "post" and "mill" gives us "post mill", which describes a type of windmill that operates on a vertical rotating mechanism.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
