Quick Definition
μύλος, ου, ὁ n.m. a millstone
Strong's Definition
a "mill", i.e. (by implication), a grinder (millstone)
Derivation: probably ultimately from the base of G3433 (μόλις) (through the idea of hardship);
KJV Usage: millstone
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
adjc. | -η, -ον | μύλος
7.70 · Constructions · Miscellaneous Constructions
of a mill (derivative of μύλος[a] ‘mill,’ 7.68) pertaining to a stone mill for grinding grain The translation of such adjectival forms depends upon specific contexts. There is, of course, no need to translate an adjectival form by a corresponding adjective in a receptor language, especially when a noun would be more appropriate.
noun, m. | -ου | μυλικός · μύλινος
7.68 · Constructions · Miscellaneous Constructions
mill a construction of two flat stones between which grain was ground into flour by rotating the top stone Some mills were relatively small and operated by hand and could well be considered as artifacts. Others, however, were quite large, and animals were used to rotate the upper stone.
In almost all parts of the world grain is ground in one way or another. Quite frequently mills are of the same general structure as those used in ancient times, in which two relatively large, round, flat stones were placed one on top of the other, and the grain was ground between the two stones. Grain entered the mill through a round hole in the upper stone, and the flour gradually emerged from around the edges of the two stones. In other parts of the world, however, grain is prepared by means of grinding stones called metates. In still other parts of the world, a mortar and pestle are used for the grinding or preparation of grain. In most contexts, what is important is either the large size of the stones or the function of grinding grain, not necessarily the particular form. However, in contexts which speak about tying a millstone to a man’s neck (see 7.69) and his being thrown into the depths of the sea, it is important to refer to relatively large stones which would cause a person to sink immediately. In such a context the use of a term for ‘mortar,’ especially one of wood, would hardly be appropriate since it would normally float. Frequently μύλος may be rendered as ‘stones for grinding grain.’ In other instances, even a more generic expression may be used, for example, ‘a large stone.’
7.69 · Constructions · Miscellaneous Constructions
millstone a large, round, flat stone, either upper or lower, used in grinding grain μύλος[a] ‘mill’ (7.68) denotes a mill as a whole, while μύλος[b] denotes only one of the large flat stones of a mill. For a discussion of some of the translational problems involved in rendering μύλος[b] ‘millstone,’ see the discussion on μύλος[a] (7.68).
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
μύλος, -ov, 6, [(Lat. mola; Eng. mill, meal)]; 1. a mill-stone [(Anthol. ete.)]: Rev. xviii. 21 [L WH μύAwos, 4- V-]; μύλος ὀνικός, Mt. xviii. 6; Mk. ix. 42 LT Tr WH; Lk. xvii. 2 Ree.; a large mill consisted of two stones, an upper and an under one; the “nether” stone was stationary, but the upper one was turned by an ass, whence the name μ. dvixds. 2. equiv. to μύλη, a mill [(Diod., Strab., Plut.)]: Mt. xxiv.41 LT Tr WH: φωνὴ μύλου, the noise made by a mill, Rev. xviii. 22.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
μύλος mylos 4x
a millstone, Mt. 18:6; 24:41; Mk. 9:42; Rev. 18:22*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
† μύλος, -ου, ὁ,
[in LXX for רֵחַים, Nu 11:8, De 24:6, al.;]
= μύλη, a mill (Strab., Plut., LXX): Mt 24:41, Re 18:22.
a mill-stone (Anth.): Re 18:21 (T); μ. ὀνικός, Mt 18:6, Mk 9:42 (v. Swete, in l.).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
μύλος, “a mill,” as in Mt 2451, Rev 1855, occurs in P Oxy II. 27817 (a lease—A.D. 17), where it is laid down —peta τὸν χρόνον ἀπίοκαϊταστησάτωι 6 μάνης τὸν μύλον ὑγιῆι Kal ἀσινῆι, οἷον καὶ παρείληφεν, “αἴ the end of the time the servant shall restore the mill safe and uninjured in the condition in which he received it” (Edd.). With the μύλος ὀνικός (Mk 9%), cf. P Ryl II. 16729 (A.p. 39) μυλαῖον ἐνεργὸν ἐν ᾧ μύλοι OnBarkol τρεῖς σὺν κώπαις Kal τραπέζαις, “a mill in full working order, containing 3 Theban millstones, with handles and nether-stones” (Edd.), and similarly BGU IV. 1067° (A.D. 101-2). See also the new compound
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
μύλος (mulos) — millstone. μύλος [ῠ], ὁ, ={μύλη}, mill, [LXX+1st c.AD+]; μ. καβαλλαρικὸς ἐν λίθοις, μ. ὀνικός, μ. ὑδραλετικός, [Refs]
2. millstone, PCair. Zen.355.84 (uncertain, [NT+3rd c.BC+]: generally, stone, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
3. grinder, molar, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
II. poetry for μύλλος (which see), [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
III. ={μύλη} IV, [Refs 1st c.AD+] see at {ἐμυλώθη}, [Refs 5th c.AD+]