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tread-wheel

tread-wheel

9.9
A large wheel turned by people or animals walking inside it to power a mill
  • noun
  • /trɛd-wil/
  • Archaic
translation icon : rueda de paso
  • The workers powered the mill by walking inside a massive tread-wheel.

Examples

  • In medieval times, a tread-wheel was often used to raise heavy loads in construction.

  • Unlike modern engines, the tread-wheel relied entirely on human or animal strength.

  • The tread-wheel powered the old mill.

  • Many tread-wheels were used in ancient times.

  • In medieval times, a tread-wheel was often used to raise heavy loads in construction.

  • The workers powered the mill by walking inside a massive tread-wheel.

  • Unlike modern engines, the tread-wheel relied entirely on human or animal strength.

Synonyms

treadmill
vstread-wheel
  • Archaic
3 6.9

A large wheel turned by people or animals to do work

is the specific large wheel used to power machinery rather than any mill type
treadwheel
vstread-wheel
  • Archaic
9.9

A large wheel people or animals walk on to power machines and lift water

is the hyphenated form of the same device

How Powerful

steam engine
  • Specialized
10 3.5
water wheel
2 3.5
tread-wheel
  • Archaic
9.9
treadle
  • Specialized
2 9.3
crank
22 4.5

Surface Forms

tread-wheel singular
tread-wheels plural

Morphology

tread-wheel = tread + wheel (transparent) = tread + wheel

A direct compound of 'tread' + 'wheel'; learners can infer a wheel turned by treading/walking.

Etymology

Tread-wheel is made from tread ('to step' or 'walk') and wheel ('a round object that turns'). So, a tread-wheel is literally a large wheel that people or animals walked on to make it turn and so power machines or raise heavy loads.