— churnable , adj. — churnability , n. — churner , n.
/cherrn/ , n.
1. a container or machine in which cream or milk is agitated to make butter.
2. any of various containers or machines similar in shape or action to a butter churn, as a device for mixing beverages.
3. Brit. a large milk can.
4. an act of churning stocks by a stockbroker.
v.t.
5. to agitate in order to make into butter: to churn cream.
6. to make (butter) by the agitation of cream.
7. to shake or agitate with violence or continued motion: The storm churned the sea.
8. (of a stockbroker) to trade (a customer's securities) excessively in order to earn more in commissions.
v.i.
9. to operate a churn.
10. to move or shake in agitation, as a liquid or any loose matter: The leaves churned along the ground.
11. (of a stockbroker) to engage in the practice of churning.
12. churn out , to produce mechanically, hurriedly, or routinely: He was hired to churn out verses for greeting cards.
[ bef. 1000; ME chirne (n.), OE cyrne cyr ( i ) n; c. MLG kerne, ON kjarni, kirna ]
Syn. 7. whip, toss, convulse.