treadmill
/ˈtrɛdmɪl/
noun
Origin
English
tread + mill — a mill worked by walking
Overview
Meaning Now
- A device, typically consisting of a continuous moving belt or a wheel, used for exercise or for driving machinery.
- A task or routine that is laborious, repetitive, and seemingly endless.
Literal older meaning
a mill operated by the treading of human or animal power
Language path
Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
treadmill
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
The treadmill was invented by English engineer Sir William Cubitt in 1818 to utilize the energy of prison inmates for grinding grain and pumping water, though it quickly became synonymous with arduous, pointless labor.
Evolution
- Old English
tredan
“to step, tread”
Origin of the first element.
- Old English
mylen
“mill, grinding apparatus”
Origin of the second element.
- 1818
treadmill
“prison punishment device”
Invented by Sir William Cubitt.
Connections
Word parts
tread
root
to walk or step
mill
root
a machine for grinding or power
Related across languages
German
treten
to step
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Related to treadmill
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.