wheel lock

American  

noun

1. an old type of gunlock in which sparks are produced by the friction of a small steel wheel against a piece of iron pyrites.

2. a gun having such a gunlock.

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wheel lock British  

noun

1. a gunlock formerly in use in which the firing mechanism was activated by sparks produced by friction between a small steel wheel and a flint

2. a gun having such a lock

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Etymology

Origin of wheel lock

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wheel lock

He also paid for a steering wheel lock and wheel clamp for £168 a few months later.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

After Scanlon’s car got stolen the second time, she decided it was time to give up on the Honda and bought a 2011 BMW, which has an alarm system and a new steering wheel lock.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2023

For those cars without immobilizers that cannot be updated, Hyundai will reimburse the cost of a steering wheel lock to the driver.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 15, 2023

Now she uses a wheel lock to thwart theft attempts and the incident rocked her to the point where she no longer walks around with her purse.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 8, 2023

For instance, about midway on the long east wall, there were some thirty-odd all-metal pistols, from wheel lock to percussion.

From Murder in the Gunroom by Piper, H. Beam