Threshing Meaning and Definition
Threshing
Pronunciation
/ˈθrɛʃɪŋ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The process of separating grain or other plant material from its chaff and straw by beating or shaking.
Examples
- The farmer used a threshing machine to separate the wheat from the chaff.
- The ancient Egyptians used manual threshing techniques to produce grain for food.
Synonyms
- Winnowing
- Beating
Antonyms
- Harvesting
- Gathering
Etymology
From Old English thrēosan, equivalent to thrēo- (thrashing) + -ing (suffix forming a gerund)
Usage Notes
Threshing is often used in the context of agriculture, particularly in relation to grain production.
Cultural References
Threshing is mentioned in ancient texts, such as the Bible, and is depicted in medieval artworks.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“To beat the air” is an idiomatic expression meaning to waste one’s time or energy, similar to the concept of threshing.
Related Words or Phrases
- Chaff
- Straw
- Grain
Collocations
- Threshing machine
- Manual threshing
- Threshing floor
Frequency of Use
Threshing is a relatively uncommon word, but it is still used in certain contexts, such as agriculture and history.
Common Misspellings
- Thresing
- Threshingh