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)

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