Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wheel \Wheel\, n. [OE. wheel, hweol, AS. hwe['o]l, hweogul,
   hweowol; akin to D. wiel, Icel. hv[=e]l, Gr. ky`klos, Skr.
   cakra; cf. Icel. hj[=o]l, Dan. hiul, Sw. hjul. [root]218. Cf.
   {Cycle}, {Cyclopedia}.]
   1. A circular frame turning about an axis; a rotating disk,
      whether solid, or a frame composed of an outer rim, spokes
      or radii, and a central hub or nave, in which is inserted
      the axle, -- used for supporting and conveying vehicles,
      in machinery, and for various purposes; as, the wheel of a
      wagon, of a locomotive, of a mill, of a watch, etc.

            The gasping charioteer beneath the wheel Of his own
            car.                                  --Dryden.

   2. Any instrument having the form of, or chiefly consisting
      of, a wheel. Specifically:
      (a) A spinning wheel. See under {Spinning}.
      (b) An instrument of torture formerly used.

                His examination is like that which is made by
                the rack and wheel.               --Addison.

   Note: This mode of torture is said to have been first
         employed in Germany, in the fourteenth century. The
         criminal was laid on a cart wheel with his legs and
         arms extended, and his limbs in that posture were
         fractured with an iron bar. In France, where its use
         was restricted to the most atrocious crimes, the
         criminal was first laid on a frame of wood in the form
         of a St. Andrew's cross, with grooves cut transversely
         in it above and below the knees and elbows, and the
         executioner struck eight blows with an iron bar, so as
         to break the limbs in those places, sometimes finishing
         by two or three blows on the chest or stomach, which
         usually put an end to the life of the criminal, and
         were hence called coups-de-grace -- blows of mercy. The
         criminal was then unbound, and laid on a small wheel,
         with his face upward, and his arms and legs doubled
         under him, there to expire, if he had survived the
         previous treatment. --Brande.
      (c) (Naut.) A circular frame having handles on the
          periphery, and an axle which is so connected with the
          tiller as to form a means of controlling the rudder
          for the purpose of steering.
      (d) (Pottery) A potter's wheel. See under {Potter}.

                Then I went down to the potter's house, and,
                behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. --Jer.
                                                  xviii. 3.

                Turn, turn, my wheel! This earthen jar A touch
                can make, a touch can mar.        --Longfellow.
      (e) (Pyrotechny) A firework which, while burning, is
          caused to revolve on an axis by the reaction of the
          escaping gases.
      (f) (Poetry) The burden or refrain of a song.

   Note: ``This meaning has a low degree of authority, but is
         supposed from the context in the few cases where the
         word is found.'' --Nares.

               You must sing a-down a-down, An you call him
               a-down-a. O, how the wheel becomes it! --Shak.

Wheel \Wheel\, v. i.
   1. To turn on an axis, or as on an axis; to revolve; to more
      about; to rotate; to gyrate.

            The moon carried about the earth always shows the
            same face to us, not once wheeling upon her own
            center.                               --Bentley.

   2. To change direction, as if revolving upon an axis or
      pivot; to turn; as, the troops wheeled to the right.

            Being able to advance no further, they are in a fair
            way to wheel about to the other extreme. --South.

   3. To go round in a circuit; to fetch a compass.

            Then wheeling down the steep of heaven he flies.
                                                  --Pope.

   4. To roll forward.

            Thunder mixed with hail, Hail mixed with fire, must
            rend the Egyptian sky, And wheel on the earth,
            devouring where it rolls.             --Milton.

Wheel \Wheel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wheeled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wheeling}.]
   1. To convey on wheels, or in a wheeled vehicle; as, to wheel
      a load of hay or wood.

   2. To put into a rotatory motion; to cause to turn or
      revolve; to cause to gyrate; to make or perform in a
      circle. ``The beetle wheels her droning flight.'' --Gray.

            Now heaven, in all her glory, shone, and rolled Her
            motions, as the great first mover's hand First
            wheeled their course.                 --Milton.

Source : WordNet®

wheel
     v 1: change directions as if revolving on a pivot; "They wheeled
          their horses around and left" [syn: {wheel around}]
     2: wheel somebody or something [syn: {wheel around}]
     3: move along on or as if on wheels or a wheeled vehicle; "The
        President's convoy rolled past the crowds" [syn: {roll}]
     4: ride a bicycle [syn: {bicycle}, {cycle}, {bike}, {pedal}]

wheel
     n 1: a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes
          (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as
          in vehicles or other machines)
     2: a handwheel that is used for steering [syn: {steering wheel}]
     3: a circular helm to control the rudder of a vessel
     4: game equipment consisting of a rotating wheel with slots
        that is used for gambling; players bet on which slot the
        roulette ball will stop in [syn: {roulette wheel}]
     5: an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or
        mutilates victims [syn: {rack}]
     6: a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot
        pedals [syn: {bicycle}, {bike}, {cycle}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

wheel
     
        [slang "big wheel" for a powerful person] A person who has an
        active {wheel bit}.  "We need to find a wheel to unwedge the
        hung tape drives."  (See {wedged}).
     
        [{Jargon File}]