ˈkwərn, ˈkwə̄n, ˈkwəin noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cweorn; akin to Old High German quirn, quirna hand mill, millstone, Old Norse kvern hand mill, Gothic -qairnus millstone, Old Irish brāu millstone, Old Slavic žrŭny mill, and probably to Gothic kaurjos (nominative plural) heavy — more at grieve
1. : a primitive mill for grinding grain consisting of two circular stones with the upper one being turned by hand
2. : a small hand mill (as for grinding spices or nuts)
3. : metate