Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WHEEL, n. [Sax. hweol, hweohl, hweogl, hweogul; D. wiel; Sw. hiul. This seems to have Wg or Hg for its elements. See Syr. and Ar. No. 16, 17, Class Cg.]

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. – Shak.
3. A carriage that moves on wheels. – Pope.
4. An instrument for torturing criminals; as, an examination made by the rack and the wheel. – Addison.
5. A machine for spinning thread of various kinds.
6. Rotation; revolution; turn; as, the vicissitude and wheel of things. – South.
7. A turning about; a compass. He throws his flight in many an airy wheel. – Milton.
8. In pottery, a round board turned by a lathe in a horizontal position, on which the clay is shaped by the hand.