wheel Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
  2. noun a handwheel that is used for steering
    steering wheel.
  3. noun forces that provide energy and direction
    • the wheels of government began to turn
  4. noun a circular helm to control the rudder of a vessel
  5. noun game equipment consisting of a wheel with slots that is used for gambling; the wheel rotates horizontally and players bet on which slot the roulette ball will stop in
    roulette wheel.
  6. noun an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or mutilates victims
    rack.
  7. noun a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals
    bike; bicycle; cycle.
  8. verb change directions as if revolving on a pivot
    wheel around.
    • They wheeled their horses around and left
  9. verb wheel somebody or something
    wheel around.
  10. verb move along on or as if on wheels or a wheeled vehicle
    roll.
    • The President's convoy rolled past the crowds
  11. verb ride a bicycle
    pedal; bike; bicycle; cycle.

WordNet

Wheel noun
Etymology
OE. wheel, hweol, AS. hweól, hweogul, hweowol; akin to D. wiel, Icel. hvel, Gr. , Skr. cakra; cf. Icel. hjol, Dan. hiul, Sw. hjul. *218 Cf. Cycle, Cyclopedia.
Definitions
  1. A circular frame turning about an axis; a rotating disk, whether solid, or a frame composed of an outer rim, spokes or radii, and a central hub or nave, in which is inserted the axle, -- used for supporting and conveying vehicles, in machinery, and for various purposes; as, the wheel of a wagon, of a locomotive, of a mill, of a watch, etc.
    The gasping charioteer beneath the wheel Of his own car. Dryden.
  2. Any instrument having the form of, or chiefly consisting of, a wheel. Specifically: -- (a) A spinning wheel. See under Spinning. (b) An instrument of torture formerly used.
    His examination is like that which is made by the rack and wheel. Addison.
    ✍ This mode of torture is said to have been first employed in Germany, in the fourteenth century. The criminal was laid on a cart wheel with his legs and arms extended, and his limbs in that posture were fractured with an iron bar. In France, where its use was restricted to the most atrocious crimes, the criminal was first laid on a frame of wood in the form of a St. Andrew's cross, with grooves cut transversely in it above and below the knees and elbows, and the executioner struck eight blows with an iron bar, so as to break the limbs in those places, sometimes finishing by two or three blows on the chest or stomach, which usually put an end to the life of the criminal, and were hence called coups-de-grace -- blows of mercy. The criminal was then unbound, and laid on a small wheel, with his face upward, and his arms and legs doubled under him, there to expire, if he had survived the previous treatment. Brande. (c) (Naut.) A circular frame having handles on the periphery, and an axle which is so connected with the tiller as to form a means of controlling the rudder for the purpose of steering. (d) (Pottery) A potter's wheel. See under Potter.
    Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. Jer. xviii. 3.
    Turn, turn, my wheel! This earthen jar A touch can make, a touch can mar. Longfellow.
    (e) (Pyrotechny) A firework which, while burning, is caused to revolve on an axis by the reaction of the escaping gases. (f) (Poetry) The burden or refrain of a song. ✍ "This meaning has a low degree of authority, but is supposed from the context in the few cases where the word is found." Nares.
    You must sing a-down a-down, An you call him a-down-a. O, how the wheel becomes it! Shak.
  3. A bicycle or a tricycle; a velocipede.
  4. A rolling or revolving body; anything of a circular form; a disk; an orb. Milton.
  5. A turn revolution; rotation; compass.
    According to the common vicissitude and wheel of things, the proud and the insolent, after long trampling upon others, come at length to be trampled upon themselves. South.
    [He] throws his steep flight in many an aëry wheel. Milton.
Wheel transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Wheeled ; present participle & verbal noun Wheeling
Definitions
  1. To convey on wheels, or in a wheeled vehicle; as, to wheel a load of hay or wood.
  2. To put into a rotatory motion; to cause to turn or revolve; to cause to gyrate; to make or perform in a circle. "The beetle wheels her droning flight." Gray.
    Now heaven, in all her glory, shone, and rolled Her motions, as the great first mover's hand First wheeled their course. Milton.
Wheel intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To turn on an axis, or as on an axis; to revolve; to more about; to rotate; to gyrate.
    The moon carried about the earth always shows the same face to us, not once wheeling upon her own center. Bentley.
  2. To change direction, as if revolving upon an axis or pivot; to turn; as, the troops wheeled to the right.
    Being able to advance no further, they are in a fair way to wheel about to the other extreme. South.
  3. To go round in a circuit; to fetch a compass.
    Then wheeling down the steep of heaven he flies. Pope.
  4. To roll forward.
    Thunder mixed with hail, Hail mixed with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky, And wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls. Milton.

Webster 1913