turnspit

• “On that rock his whole adventure split,—his whole scheme of economy was dashed to pieces; his department became more expensive than ever; the Civil List debt accumulated.” Interference with the expenses of the household meant interference with the perquisites or fees of this legislative turnspit, and the rights of sinecures were too sacred to be touched. —  Burke
• He said of a man who sat up with him: “Sir, the fellow's an idiot; he's as awkward as a turnspit when first put into the wheel, and as sleepy as a dormouse.” His last recorded words were to a young lady who had begged for his blessing: “God bless you, my dear.” The same day, December 13th, 1784, he gradually sank and died peacefully. —  Samuel Johnson
• Speaking of old Benjamin Martin,[335] he goes on as follows 153 But the most elegant account of the matter [attraction] is by that hominiform animal, Mr. Benjamin Martin, who having attended Dr. Desaguliers'[336] fine, raree, gallanty shew for some years [Desaguliers was one of the first who gave public experimental lectures, before the saucy boy was born] in the capacity of a turnspit, has, it seems, taken it into his head to set up for a philosopher Thus is preserved the fact, unknown to his biographers, that Benj. —  A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume I (of II)
• Sometimes the sole turnspit was the housewife, who, every time she basted the roast, gave the string a good twist, and thereafter it would untwist, and then twist a little again, and so on until the vibration ceased, when she again basted and started it. —  Home Life in Colonial Days
• 'Mount, lazy long-chined turnspit, as thou valuest thy life,' cried Abdul the corsair, 'and away for Tunis.' —  Imaginary Conversations and Poems A Selection

Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the Same Context