quern
noun /kwɜːn/
/kwɜːrn/
- a simple piece of equipment for grinding grain, consisting of two round stones, called quernstones /ˈkwɜːnstəʊnz//ˈkwɜːrnstəʊnz/. The grain is pressed and broken between the two stones when the upper one is turned.Word OriginOld English cweorn(e), of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse kvern and Dutch kweern.