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Glite Dictionary
treadwheel

treadwheel

9.9
A large wheel people or animals walk on to power machines and lift water
  • noun
  • /ˈtrɛdˌwiːl/
  • Archaic
translation icon : rueda de pedales
  • A medieval treadwheel crane can still be seen in the old cathedral tower.

Examples

  • In rural mills, donkeys or oxen would power the treadwheel to grind grain.

  • The prisoners were put to work turning the treadwheel for hours each day.

  • The treadwheel was used to lift water from the well.

  • Many ancient civilizations utilized a treadwheel for various tasks.

  • In rural mills, donkeys or oxen would power the treadwheel to grind grain.

  • The prisoners were put to work turning the treadwheel for hours each day.

  • A medieval treadwheel crane can still be seen in the old cathedral tower.

Synonyms

treadmill
vstreadwheel
  • Archaic
3 6.9

A large wheel turned by people or animals to do work

is narrower and focuses on a large wheel rather than various mechanisms
tread-wheel
vstreadwheel
  • Archaic
9.9

A large wheel turned by people or animals walking inside it to power a mill

is the same device but written without a hyphen

Surface Forms

treadwheel singular
treadwheels plural

Morphology

treadwheel = tread + wheel (transparent) = tread + wheel

Literal compound 'tread' + 'wheel' (a wheel that is tread upon); learners can derive the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

The word treadwheel comes from tread ('to step') and wheel ('a round object that turns'), the same tread you see in treadmill. So a treadwheel is literally a wheel people or animals step on to turn and do work, for example to lift water or drive a machine.