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

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

From Ten Great Events in History by Johonnot, James

That is, of course, if you will give me the use of half the electricity that your idle wheel is grinding out with my second-hand dynamo.

From Electricity for the farm Light, heat and power by inexpensive methods from the water wheel or farm engine by Anderson, Frederick Irving

They found the pilot, Valdemar Svensen, leaning at his ease against the idle wheel, with his face turned towards the eastern sky.

From Thelma by Corelli, Marie

You furnish the water-power with your idle wheel, and I furnish the electric installation.

From Electricity for the farm Light, heat and power by inexpensive methods from the water wheel or farm engine by Anderson, Frederick Irving

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