to tilt at windmill

См. также в других словарях:

• windmill — n. 1) a windmill turns 2) (misc.) to tilt at windmills ( to struggle with imaginary opponents ) * * * [ wɪndˌmɪl] a windmill turns (misc.) to tilt at windmill s ( to struggle with imaginary opponents ) …   Combinatory dictionary

• windmill — [wind′mil΄] n. 1. a mill operated by the wind s rotation of large, oblique sails or vanes radiating from a shaft: used as a source of power for grinding grain, pumping water, generating electricity, etc. 2. anything like a windmill, as a… …   English World dictionary

• tilt at windmills — phrasal Etymology: so called fr. the episode in Don Quijote de la Mancha in which Don Quixote battles with a windmill, thinking it a giant more at don quixote : to fight imaginary enemies or illusory evils even though this rebellion may be a… …   Useful english dictionary

• windmill — /wind mil /, n. 1. any of various machines for grinding, pumping, etc., driven by the force of the wind acting upon a number of vanes or sails. 2. (loosely) a wind generator; wind plant. 3. Aeron. a small air turbine with blades, like those of an …   Universalium

• windmill — I. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. a mill or machine operated by the wind usually acting on oblique vanes or sails that radiate from a horizontal shaft; especially a wind driven water pump or electric generator b. the wind driven wheel of a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• windmill — UK [ˈwɪn(d)ˌmɪl] / US noun [countable] Word forms windmill : singular windmill plural windmills 1) a tall building with sails (= long pieces of wood or metal) that turn in the wind and produce power to crush grain or produce electricity 2)… …   English dictionary

• windmill — wind•mill [[t]ˈwɪndˌmɪl[/t]] n. 1) ene mac any of various machines for grinding, pumping, etc., driven by the force of the wind acting upon a number of vanes or sails 2) ene wind plant 3) an imaginary opponent, wrong, etc. (in allusion to… …   From formal English to slang

• windmill — n. 1 a mill worked by the action of the wind on its sails. 2 esp. Brit. a toy consisting of a stick with curved vanes attached that revolve in a wind. Phrases and idioms: throw one s cap (or bonnet) over the windmill act recklessly or… …   Useful english dictionary

• tilt at windmills — verb a) To attack imaginary enemies. b) To go on a wild goose chase; to persistently engage in a futile activity See Also: throw ones cap over the windmill, mistake windmills for giants …   Wiktionary

• cap over the windmill — adverb in a crazed manner See Also: tilt at windmills …   Wiktionary

• Small wind turbine — Small wind turbines may be as small as a fifty watt generator for boat or caravan use. Small units often have direct drive generators, direct current output, aeroelastic blades, lifetime bearings and use a vane to point into the wind. Larger,… …   Wikipedia