Catherine wheel

American  

noun

1. a firework that revolves on a pin, making a wheel of fire or sparks; pinwheel.

2. wheel window.

---

Catherine wheel British  

noun

1. Also called: pinwheel.  a type of firework consisting of a powder-filled spiral tube, mounted with a pin through its centre. When lit it rotates quickly, producing a display of sparks and coloured flame

2. a circular window having ribs radiating from the centre

---

Etymology

Origin of Catherine wheel

1175–1225; Middle English; named after St. Catherine of Alexandria, from wheel used to torture her

Example Sentences

The lead cop’s full name is Catherine Wheel, a medieval torture device, and she has instant recall of a Latin motto: “Let the good of the people be the highest law.”

From Los Angeles Times

Set to Carl Orff’s dramatic score, the production includes a giant moving Catherine wheel and a live chorus seated on a floating platform above the stage.

From Seattle Times

Musician David Byrne, with whom she worked on an earlier show, “The Catherine Wheel” in 1981, felt the same.

From Seattle Times

That idiosyncratic style of his, back straight, carriage low, arms tucked, legs spinning so quick his gold spikes were like sparks from a Catherine wheel.

From The Guardian

This volume republishes her three novels: “Boston Adventure,” “The Mountain Lion” and “The Catherine Wheel.”

From New York Times