I. ˈhwēl, ˈwēl noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hweogol, hwēol; akin to Old Norse hvēl wheel, Greek kyklos circle, wheel, Sanskrit cakra, Latin colere to cultivate, inhabit, Sanskrit carati he moves, wanders
Date: before 12th century
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 (as a round flat cheese) resembling a wheel in shape
5.
a. : a curving or circular movement
b. : a rotation or turn usually about an axis or center ; specifically : 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 wheel s of government
b. : a directing or controlling force
c. : a person of importance especially in an organization
a big wheel
7. : the refrain or burden of a song
8.
a. : a circuit of theaters or places of entertainment
b. : a sports league
9. plural , slang : a wheeled vehicle ; especially : automobile
10. plural , slang : legs
• wheel·less ˈhwēl-ləs, ˈwēl- adjective
[
wheel 1: 1 hub, 2 spoke, 3 felly, 4 tire
]
II. verb
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
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 wheel ed to the flank — Walter Bernstein
her mind will wheel around to the other extreme — Liam O'Flaherty
wheel ed to face her opponent
3. : to move or extend in a circle or curve
birds in wheel ing flight
valleys where young cotton wheel ed slowly in fanlike rows — William Faulkner
4. : to travel on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle
transitive verb
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
wheel ed the patient back to his room
wheel ed the car into the driveway
wheel in the experts
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