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behind the wheel

 - 1 dictionary result
wheel   (hwēl, wēl)   
n.  
  1. A solid disk or a rigid circular ring connected by spokes to a hub, designed to turn around an axle passed through the center.

  2. Something resembling such a disk or ring in appearance or movement or having a wheel as its principal part or characteristic, as:

    1. The steering device on a vehicle.

    2. A potter's wheel.

    3. A water wheel.

    4. A spinning wheel.

    5. Games A device used in roulette and other games of chance.

    6. A firework that rotates while burning.

    7. Informal A bicycle.

    8. An instrument to which a victim was bound for torture during the Middle Ages.

  3. wheels Forces that provide energy, movement, or direction: the wheels of commerce.

  4. The act or process of turning; revolution or rotation.

  5. A military maneuver executed in order to change the direction of movement of a formation, as of troops or ships, in which the formation is maintained while the outer unit describes an arc and the inner or center unit remains stationary as a pivot.

  6. wheels Slang A motor vehicle or access thereto: Do you have wheels tonight?

  7. Slang A person with a great deal of power or influence: a wheel in state government.

v.   wheeled, wheel·ing, wheels

v.   tr.
  1. To roll, move, or transport on wheels or a wheel.

  2. To cause to turn around or as if around a central axis; revolve or rotate.

  3. To provide with wheels or a wheel.

v.   intr.
  1. To turn around or as if around a central axis; revolve or rotate.

  2. To roll or move on or as if on wheels or a wheel.

  3. To fly in a curving or circular course: A flock of gulls wheeled just above the dock.

  4. To turn or whirl around in place; pivot: "The boy wheeled and the fried eggs leaped from his tray" (Ivan Gold).

  5. To reverse one's opinion or practice: Don't be surprised if the boss wheels about on that idea.


[Middle English, from Old English hwēol; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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