idle wheel

American  

noun

Machinery.

1. a wheel for transmitting power and motion between a driving and a driven part, either by friction or by means of teeth.

2. idle pulley.

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idle wheel British  

noun

1. Also called: idler.  a gearwheel interposed between two others to transmit torque without changing the direction of rotation to the velocity ratio

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Etymology

Origin of idle wheel

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Mart gave Bob a meaning glance and the two boys went to the wheel house, where old Jerry was leaning on the idle wheel and gazing at the shore.

From The Pirate Shark by Arting, Fred J.

Nor were the women idle; wheel and loom were busy as never before.

From Ten Great Events in History by Johonnot, James

With one hand holding the idle wheel, he was leaning out to one side, his eyes fixed in a fascinated stare. 

From The Mutiny of the Elsinore by London, Jack

Icicles covered the idle wheel, a snow cornice hung over the flagged roof, and water splashed softly in the half-frozen race.

From The Buccaneer Farmer Published in England under the Title "Askew's Victory" by Bindloss, Harold

It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

From Ethan Frome by Wharton, Edith