freewheel - Definitions from Dictionary.com

6 results for: freewheel

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

free·wheel

Audio Help [free-hweel, -weel] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	a device in the transmission of a motor vehicle that automatically disengages the drive shaft whenever it begins to turn more rapidly than the engine.

2.	a form of rear bicycle wheel that has a device freeing it from the driving mechanism, as when the pedals are stopped in coasting.

–verb (used without object)

3.	(of a vehicle or its operator) to coast with the wheels disengaged from the driving mechanism.

4.	to move or function freely, independently, unconcernedly, or the like (often fol. by about, through, around, etc.): The two friends freewheeled around the country after graduation.

[Origin: 1895–1900; free + wheel

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
freewheel

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

free·wheel Audio Help (frē'hwēl', -wēl') Pronunciation Key
n. also free wheel

A power-transmission device that allows the drive shaft of a motor vehicle to continue turning when its speed is greater than that of the engine shaft.
A clutch in the rear-wheel hub of a bicycle that permits the wheel to turn without pedal action, as in coasting.

intr.v. free·wheeled, free·wheel·ing, free·wheels

To continue turning or spinning after disengagement from the drive mechanism.
To live or move freely and sometimes aimlessly or irresponsibly.
To operate independently or free of restraints.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

freewheel
noun
1.	a clutch (as on the rear wheel of a bicycle) that allows wheels to turn freely (as in coasting)
verb
1.	live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely; "My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school"
2.	coast in a vehicle using the freewheel

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ˌfreeˈwheel verb

to travel (downhill) on a bicycle, in a car etc without using mechanical power

Arabic:	يُسافِر بِالدَّرّاجَه
Chinese (Simplified):	惯性滑行
Chinese (Traditional):	慣性滑行
Czech:	jet bez pohonu, *na volnoběh
Danish:	køre på frihjul
Dutch:	freewheelen
Estonian:	vabakäiguga sõitma
French:	être, *aller en roue libre
German:	der Freilauf
Greek:	πηγαίνω χωρίς πετάλια ή με σβηστή μηχανή
Hungarian:	szabadon fut
Icelandic:	fríhjóla
Italian:	andare a ruota libera*
Japanese:	惰性で走る

Korean:	타성으로 달리다
Latvian:	braukt no kalna ar automašīnu brīvgaitā, *neminot velosipēda pedāļus
Lithuanian:	vaþiuoti neminant pedalø, *iðjungus pavarà
Norwegian:	kjøre på frihjul, trille
Polish:	zjeżdżać na luzie
Portuguese (Brazil):	andar com roda livre
Portuguese (Portugal):	andar de livre-roda
Romanian:	a merge cu ambreiajul decuplat, *din inerţie
Russian:	двигаться свободным ходом
Slovak:	ísť na voľnobeh
Slovenian:	voziti v prostem teku
Spanish:	ir en punto muerto
Swedish:	åka på frihjul
Turkish:	pedalsız boş vitesle gitmek

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Freewheel

Free"wheel`\, n. (Mach.) A clutch fitted in the rear hub of a cycle, which engages the rear sprocket with the rear wheel when the pedals are rotated forwards, but permits the rear wheel to run on free from the rear sprocket when the pedals are stopped or rotated backwards. Freewheelcycles are usually fitted with hub brakes or rim brakes, operated by back pedaling.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Freewheel

Free"wheel`\, v. i. 1. (a) Of a freewheel cycle, to run on while the pedals are held still. (b) Of a person, to ride a cycle of this manner. To ride a freewheel cycle.

2. (Mach.) To operate like a freewheel, so that one part moves freely over another which normally moves with it; -- said of a clutch.

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