grist

/ɡrɪst/
noun
  1. Grain that is ground to make flour; a batch of grain for grinding.
    • The old watermill could process a ton of grist each day.
    • Farmers brought their grist to the mill every autumn after the harvest.
    • The miller stored the grist in large sacks before grinding it into flour.
  2. Something that can be used to one's advantage, especially in an argument or debate.
    • Every mistake he made became grist for his opponent's campaign ads.
    • The politician's scandal was grist for the media's relentless coverage.
    • Her experience as a teacher gave her plenty of grist for her novel.