ˈspinning-wheel
[f. spinning vbl. n. Cf. Du. spinnewiel, WFris. spinwiele, NFris. spenweel.]
A simple apparatus for spinning, formerly in common use, in which the formation of the thread is carried out by the help of a wheel worked either by the hand or foot.
| 1404 Nottingham Rec. II. 22, j. spynyng wheel. 1475 Maldon Crt. Rolls Bundle 49 No. 8, 1 saucer, 1 spynnyng-whele in manu servientis. a 1529 Skelton E. Rummyng 296 Some layde to pledge..Theyr rocke, theyr spynnyng whele. 1542 Richmond Wills (Surtees) 30 Item, a spynnyng qweyll. 1617 Shuttleworths' Acc. (Chetham Soc.) 220 To the cookes wiffe, for a spinninge wheele, ijs iiij{supd}. 1714 Gay Sheph. Week v. 123 My Spinning-Wheel and Rake, Let Susan keep for her dear Sister's sake. 1790 F. Burney Diary July, We had begun some intercourse..through an application I made to her for a spinning-wheel. 1859 Jephson Brittany vi. 67, I found the good-wife sitting at her spinning-wheel, and in the recess I observed two looms. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Dict. Needlework 458 Spinning wheels were universally employed on the Continent of Europe and in this country until the year 1764. |
| attrib. and Comb. 1801 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 520/1 The upper pivot (which resembles the fore pivot or eye of a spinning wheel fly). 1876 Smiles Sc. Natur. vi. 101 The night-jar..was still out with his spinning-wheel-like birr, birr. 1884 Littell Living Age 691 The spinning-wheel sound which betrays the bear sucking his paws at his ease. |