wheel

[[t](h)wil, wil[/t]]

n.

1) a circular frame or disk arranged to revolve on an axis, as on or in vehicles or machinery

2) any machine, apparatus, instrument, etc., shaped like this or having a circular frame, disk, or revolving drum as an essential feature:

a potter's wheel[/ex]

3) cvb aum

steering wheel

4) navig. Naut.

a) naut. a circular frame with an axle connecting to the rudder of a ship, for steering

b) naut.

paddle wheel

5) inf a bicycle

6) a round object, decoration, etc.:

a wheel of cheese[/ex]

7) an old instrument of torture in the form of a circular frame on which the victim was stretched until disjointed

8) pinwheel 2)

9) a rotating instrument that Fortune is represented as turning so as to bring about changes or reverses in human affairs

10) wheels

a) moving, propelling, or animating agencies:

the wheels of commerce[/ex]

b) sts Slang. a personal means of transportation, esp. a car

11) a cycle, recurring action, or steady progression:

the wheel of days and nights[/ex]

12) a wheeling or circular movement:

the intricate wheels of the folk dances[/ex]

13) inf someone active and influential, as in business or politics; an important person:

a big wheel[/ex]

14) to cause to turn, rotate, or revolve, as on an axis

15) to perform (a movement) in a circular or curving direction

16) to move, roll, or convey on wheels, casters, etc.:

The waiters wheeled the tables out[/ex]

17) to turn on or as if on an axis or about a center; revolve, rotate, or pivot

18) to move in a circular or curving course:

pigeons wheeling above[/ex]

19) to change direction or course by turning or seeming to turn the opposite way (often fol. by about or around):

He wheeled about and glared at us[/ex]

20) to roll on or as if on wheels; travel smoothly:

The car wheeled along the highway[/ex]

•

- at the wheel wheel and deal

Etymology: bef. 900; ME whel(e), OE hwēol, hweohl, c. MLG wēl, MD wiel, ON hjōl; akin to Gk kýklos (see cycle), Skt cakrá