Windmilling: meaning, definitions and examples
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windmilling
[ ˈwɪndˌmɪlɪŋ ]
physical action
Windmilling refers to the circular motion of the arms, usually done to maintain balance or to create momentum. This term can also refer to the operation of wind turbines, where the blades rotate to harness wind energy.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He was windmilling his arms to keep his balance on the tightrope.
- The wind turbines were windmilling efficiently on the windy day.
- She started windmilling her arms to gain speed while running.
Etymology
The term 'windmilling' originates from the combination of the words 'wind' and 'mill'. The earliest reference to windmills can be traced back to the 1st century AD in Persia, where they were used primarily for grinding grain into flour. These structures harnessed wind energy through large blades that rotated, which eventually led to the use of the term 'windmill' in English around the 13th century when these mills began to appear in Europe. Over time, the noun evolved into a verb form, giving rise to 'windmilling' to describe both the action of the rotating blades and the act of moving one’s arms in a similar circular motion.