Threshing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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threshing

[ˈθrɛʃɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

agriculture

The process of separating grain from straw by beating it.

Synonyms

beating, separating, winnowing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
threshing

Threshing is primarily used in agricultural contexts, referring to the process of separating grain from the stalks and husks. This term is often associated with traditional farming practices and machinery.

  • The farmers spent the whole day threshing wheat in the fields.
  • In ancient times, threshing was done using a flail.
separating

Separating is a broader term that can be used in various contexts involving the division of components. In agriculture, it can describe the process of sorting grain from chaff, but it is not as specific as 'threshing'.

  • They were separating the wheat from the chaff carefully.
  • The scientist was busy separating the different chemicals in the lab.
beating

The word 'beating' in agricultural context generally relates to the physical act of striking plants to separate grains from stalks, but it can have a negative connotation in other contexts, implying violence or harm.

  • The workers were beating the rice plants to separate the grain.
  • The loud beating of the drums could be heard from miles away.
winnowing

Winnowing is a specific agricultural term that refers to the process of removing chaff from grain by wind or moving air. It often involves tossing the grain into the air so that the lighter chaff is blown away.

  • After threshing the grain, they began the process of winnowing to remove the chaff.
  • In many traditional cultures, winnowing is done by hand using large baskets.

Examples of usage

  • Threshing is an essential step in the harvest of crops such as wheat and barley.
  • The sound of threshing could be heard across the fields.
  • The farmer used a threshing machine to speed up the process.
Context #2 | Noun

historical

The act of treading on or crushing something with the feet.

Synonyms

crushing, treading.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
threshing

Used mainly in agriculture, especially when separating grains from the husks and stalks.

  • The farmers spent all day threshing the harvested wheat.
  • Threshing is an essential step in the process of preparing crops for market.
treading

This word is typically used to describe walking or stepping, often in a careful or specific manner.

  • She was treading carefully on the icy path.
  • The dancers were treading lightly across the stage.
crushing

Often used to describe physically breaking something into smaller pieces or to depict a forceful defeat or overwhelming emotion.

  • The machine is used for crushing rocks into gravel.
  • The news of the accident was crushing for the family.

Examples of usage

  • Threshing of grapes was a common practice in ancient winemaking.
  • Threshing of olives was done to extract oil in ancient times.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To beat or move one's feet quickly and noisily on a surface.

Synonyms

pound, stamp, stomp.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
threshing

Used in the context of agriculture, specifically to describe the process of separating grains from their husks.

  • The farmers spent the entire day threshing the wheat.
  • Threshing is an essential step in harvesting cereal crops.
stomp

Similar to 'stamp,' but often conveys a sense of anger or frustration. It also means to walk or move with heavy steps.

  • He began to stomp around the room after hearing the bad news.
  • The children love to stomp in the puddles after it rains.
stamp

Usually used to describe bringing one's foot down heavily on the ground; can also mean to imprint or make a mark with a tool or device.

  • She was so angry that she started to stamp her feet.
  • Each document was stamped with an official seal.
pound

Commonly used to describe hitting something with great force; can also describe a strong, repeated beating sound, and can have a negative connotation when referring to physical violence.

  • The chef began to pound the meat with a tenderizer.
  • The heavy rain continued to pound on the roof throughout the night.
  • He felt his heart pound in his chest as he ran.

Examples of usage

  • The dancers were threshing the floor with their energetic moves.
  • He threshed the ground in frustration.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The practice of threshing dates back thousands of years, with evidence found in ancient Mesopotamia, where people used tools to separate grains.
  • Over time, as farming techniques evolved, different methods like using oxen to tread on harvested crops were developed for threshing.

Agricultural Techniques

  • Before machines, farmers would use a tool called a flail, which consists of a long stick attached to a shorter one, to hit the plants and release the grains.
  • Modern threshing uses sophisticated machinery called threshers, which can thresh and separate grains much faster than traditional methods.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, threshing parties were social events where communities would come together to help harvest and celebrate the season.
  • In literature, threshing is often depicted as a symbol of hard work and the harvest season, representing community and sustenance.

Technological Advances

  • The invention of the mechanical thresher in the 19th century revolutionized agriculture, increasing efficiency and crop yields dramatically.
  • Agricultural technology has continued to innovate, incorporating automation and precision agriculture to make threshing even more efficient.

Environmental Impact

  • Modern threshing techniques can have both positive and negative environmental impacts, as efficient methods can reduce waste, but increased mechanization can affect soil health.
  • Sustainable farming practices sometimes incorporate manual or low-impact threshing techniques to preserve soil quality and biodiversity.

Origin of 'threshing'

The word 'threshing' originated from the Old English word 'therscan', meaning 'to thresh'. Threshing has been an important agricultural practice for centuries, enabling farmers to separate grain from straw efficiently. Historically, threshing was done manually by beating the grain with a flail, but with advancements in technology, machines like threshers and combines have been developed to automate the process. Threshing remains a crucial step in the production of various crops around the world.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,093, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.