whel

whel

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

    From Old English hwēol, from Proto-Germanic *hweulu, plural of *hwehwl, from Proto-Germanic *hwehwlą, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷékʷlos.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /hweːl/

    Noun

    whel (plural wheles)

    1. A wheel (circular device for motion):
      1. The wheel as a symbol of fluctuation or repetition.
      2. A breaking wheel; a wheel used as for torture.
    2. A wheel as or in a machine (e.g. a waterwheel; a potter's wheel).
    3. A circular movement or figure (especially in astronomy).
    4. (rare) A hinge or pivot for a gate.

    Descendants

    • English: wheel
      • Māori: wīra
    • Middle Scots: quhel, quhele, quheil, quheile
    • Yola: wheel

    References