freewheeling
Use Freewheeling in a sentence
lɪŋ, -ˈwi- adjective
1.
operating in the manner of a freewheel.
2.
(of a person) moving about freely, independently, or irresponsibly.
3.
(of words, remarks, actions, etc.) unrestrained; irresponsible: Loose, freewheeling charges were traded during the argument.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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.
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 followed by about, through, around, etc.): The two friends freewheeled around the country after graduation.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To freewheeling
00:10
Freewheeling
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
freewheel (ˌfriːˈwiːl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a ratchet device in the rear hub of a bicycle wheel that permits the wheel to rotate freely while the pedals are stationary |
| 2. | a device in the transmission of some vehicles that automatically disengages the drive shaft when it rotates more rapidly than the engine shaft, so that the drive shaft can turn freely |
| —vb | |
| 3. | (intr) to coast in a vehicle or on a bicycle using the freewheel |
| freewheeling (ˌfriːˈwiːlɪŋ) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | relating to, operating as, or having a freewheel; coasting |
| 2. | informal free of restraints; carefree or uninhibited |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
freewheeling
1903, from free + wheel; originally of bicycle wheels that turned even when not being pedaled, later from the name of a kind of automobile drive system that allowed cars to coast without being slowed by the engine. Fig. sense is from 1911.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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