Grist

Definitions

1. Grain that is to be ground in a mill.
   countable, uncountable
2. A group of bees.
   countable, obsolete, uncountable
3. Supply; provision.
   colloquial, countable, obsolete, uncountable
4. A given size of rope, common grist being a rope three inches in circumference, with twenty yarns in each of the three strands.
   countable, uncountable
5. Ellipsis of grist for the mill.
   abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, figuratively, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“That it will, however, cause the subscribers to wish⟳, in their minds, for many oaths to fly⟳ about, which is a heinous crime, and to lay⟳ stratagems to try⟳ the patience of men of all sorts; to put⟳ them upon the swearing strain⟳, in order⟳ to bring⟳ grist to their own⟳ mill, which is a crime still more enormous; and that therefore, for fear of these evil consequences, the passing of such an act is not consistent with the really extraordinary and tender conscience of a true modern politician.”

“Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy⟳ a meal around a campfire, had to collect⟳ wood and then spend⟳ time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn⟳ grist into meal.”

“Matter⟳, as wise logicians say⟳, / Cannot without a form⟳ subsist; / And form⟳, say⟳ I, as well as they, / Must fail⟳ if matter⟳ brings no grist.”

“The judge⟳ needed a case with the potential for great emotional impact to gain⟳ media coverage for his political career. He was running for judgeship on the Nevada Supreme Court. Nicky and I were in the wrong place⟳ at the wrong time. We were available, vulnerable, and expendable for political grist.”

“True stories are embellished, the casts of fictional dramas stuffed with unlikely non-actors. All is grist to what [Werner] Herzog calls “ecstatic truth”.”

CEFR level