ˈwheel-lock
[f. wheel n. + lock n.2]
1. A form of gun-lock in which the powder was fired by the friction of a small wheel (wound up with a spring) against a piece of iron pyrites. Also attrib.
| 1670 Cotton Espernon. i. iv. 181 The wheel-lock of a Pistol, ready wound up. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 71 These..have been much used for Carabines and Pistols, whil'st Wheel-locks were in fashion. 1821 Edgeworth Mem. (ed. 2) I. 279 Guns,..some with old match-locks,..and others with wheel⁓locks. 1860 Hewitt Anc. Armour III. 589 Their [sc. German Reiters' or pistoliers'] characteristic arm, the wheel⁓lock pistol. 1904 Tylor Anthropol. i. 17 The match-lock led up to the wheel-lock, and that again to the flint-lock musket. |
2. A form of letter-lock (see letter n.1 9) with a series of wheels or disks upon the edges of which the letters were inscribed.
| 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. |
3. a. (See quot.)
| 1875 Knight Dict. Mech., Wheel-lock, a wagon-lock, to retard the revolution of the wheels in descending a hill. |
b. = lock n.2 15.
| 1927 Observer 20 Feb. 21/3 The majority of our fire⁓fighting appliances are not provided with adequate wheel-locks. |