Wheel Definition

wēl, hwēl
wheeled, wheeling, wheels
noun
wheels
A solid or partly solid disk, or a circular frame connected by spokes to a central hub, capable of turning on a central axis and used as to move vehicles or transmit power in machinery.
Webster's New World
Anything like a wheel in shape, movement, action, etc., as a fireworks device that revolves while burning.
Webster's New World
A device or apparatus of which the principal element is a wheel or wheels.
Webster's New World
Forces that provide energy, movement, or direction.
The wheels of commerce.
American Heritage
The moving, propelling, or controlling forces or agencies.
The wheels of progress.
Webster's New World
verb
wheeled, wheeling, wheels
To move or roll along (something equipped with wheels)
To wheel a baby buggy.
Webster's New World
To transport in a wheeled vehicle.
Webster's New World
To turn on or as on an axis; pivot, rotate, revolve, etc.
Webster's New World
To cause to turn, revolve, or rotate.
Webster's New World
To furnish with a wheel or wheels.
Webster's New World
idiom
at
  • Operating the steering mechanism of a vehicle; driving.
  • Directing or controlling; in charge.
American Heritage
wheel and deal
  • To engage in the advancement of one's own interests, especially in a canny, aggressive, or unscrupulous way.
American Heritage
at the wheel
  • steering a ship, motor vehicle, etc.
  • in charge; directing activities
Webster's New World
spin one's wheels
  • to engage in fruitless activity
Webster's New World
wheel and deal
  • to behave in an aggressive, flamboyant way, as in arranging business or political deals
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Wheel

Noun

Singular:
wheel
Plural:
wheels

Origin of Wheel

  • From Middle English whele, from Old English hwÄ“oÄ¡ol, hwÄ“ol, from Proto-Germanic *hwehwlÄ… (compare West Frisian tsjil, Dutch wiel, Danish hjul), from Proto-Indo-European *kÊ·ekÊ·lóm, *kʷékÊ·los (cf. Tocharian B kokale (“cart, wagon"), Ancient Greek κύκλος (kuklos, “cycle, wheel"), Avestan [script?] (čaxrō)[script?], Sanskrit चक्र (cakrá)), reduplication of *kÊ·el- (“to turn") (compare Welsh dymchwel (“to overturn, upset"), Latin colere (“to till, cultivate"), Tocharian A and B käl (“to bear; bring"), Ancient Greek (Aeolic) πέλεσθαι (pélesthai, “to be in motion"), Old Church Slavonic коло (kolo, “wheel"), Albanian sjell (“to bring, carry, turn around"), Avestan [script?] (čaraiti, “it circulates")[script?], Sanskrit चरति (cárati, “it moves, wanders")).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English hwēol kwel-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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