WHEEL, noun 1. A circular frame of wood, iron or other metal, consisting of a nave or hub, into which are inserted spokes which sustain a rim or felly; the whole turning on an axis. The name is also given to a solid circular or round piece of wood or metal, which revolves on an axis. The wheel and axle constitute one of the mechanical powers. 2. A circular body. 3. A carriage that moves on wheels. 4. An instrument for torturing criminals; as an examination made by the rack and the wheel 5. A machine for spinning thread, of various kinds. 6. Rotation; revolution; turn; as the vicissitude and wheel of things. 7. A turning about; a compass. He throws his flight in many an airy wheel 8. In pottery, a round board turned by a lathe in a horizontal position, on which the clay is shaped by the hand.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI