[wheel] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hweogol, hweol; akin to ON hvel wheel, Gk kyklos circle, wheel, Skt cakra, L colere to cultivate, inhabit, Skt carati he moves, wanders] (bef. 12c) 1: a circular frame of hard material that may be solid, partly solid, or spoked and that is capable of turning on an axle
2: a contrivance or apparatus having as its principal part a wheel: as a: a chiefly medieval instrument of torture designed for mutilating a victim (as by stretching or disjointing) b: bicycle c: any of many revolving disks or drums used as gambling paraphernalia d: potter's wheel e: steering wheel 3 a: an imaginary turning wheel symbolizing the inconstancy of fortune b: a recurring course, development, or action: cycle
4: something resembling a wheel in shape or motion: as a: a round flat cheese b: a firework that rotates while burning c: a propeller on a boat
5. a: a curving or circular movement b: a rotation or turn usu. about an axis or center; specif: a turning movement of troops or ships in line in which the units preserve alignment and relative positions as they change direction
6. a: a moving or essential part of something compared to a machine "the ~s of government" b: a directing or controlling force c: a person of importance esp. in an organization "a big ~" 7: the refrain or burden of a song
8. a: a circuit of theaters or places of entertainment b: a sports league
9. pl, slang: a wheeled vehicle; esp: automobile -- wheel.less adj
[2]wheel vi (13c) 1: to turn on or as if on an axis: revolve
2: to change direction as if revolving on a pivot "the battalion would have ~ed to the flank --Walter Bernstein" "her mind will ~ around to the other extreme --Liam O'Flaherty"
3: to move or extend in a circle or curve "birds in ~ing flight" "valleys where young cotton ~ed slowly in fanlike rows --William Faulkner"
4: to drive or go on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle ~ vt 1: to cause to turn on or as if on an axis: rotate
2: to convey or move on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle; esp: to drive (a vehicle) at high speed
3: to cause to change direction as if revolving on a pivot
4: to make or perform in a circle or curve -- wheel and deal : to make deals or do business esp. shrewdly or briskly