wheel lock

wheel lock
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.
[1660-70]

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Device for igniting the powder in a firearm such as a musket.

Developed с 1515, the wheel lock struck a spark to ignite powder in the pan of a musket by means of a holder that pressed a shard of flint or a piece of iron pyrite against an iron wheel with a milled edge; the wheel rotated and sparks flew. The principle was used in the design of the flint-and-wheel cigarette lighter. See also flintlock.

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▪ firearm ignition device
      device for igniting the powder in a firearm such as a musket. It was developed in about 1515. The wheel lock struck a spark to ignite powder on the pan of a musket. It did so by means of a holder that pressed a shard of flint or a piece of iron pyrite against an iron wheel with a milled edge; the wheel was rotated and sparks flew. The principle was used in the design of the flint-and-wheel cigarette lighter.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wheel lock — Wheel Wheel (hw[=e]l), n. [OE. wheel, hweol, AS. hwe[ o]l, hweogul, hweowol; akin to D. wiel, Icel. hv[=e]l, Gr. ky klos, Skr. cakra; cf. Icel. hj[=o]l, Dan. hiul, Sw. hjul. [root]218. Cf. {Cycle}, {Cyclopedia}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A circular… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wheel lock — n. 1. an early type of gunlock in which a rough wheel is spun on a piece of pyrite or flint to throw sparks into the pan and set off the charge 2. a gun with such a lock …   English World dictionary

  • wheel lock — wheel′ lock n. 1) mil 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) mil a gun having such a gunlock • Etymology: 1660–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • wheel lock — noun an obsolete gunlock using flint and a revolving wheel • Hypernyms: ↑gunlock, ↑firing mechanism * * * noun : an obsolete gunlock in which sparks are struck from a flint or a piece of iron pyrites by a revolving wheel; also : a gun equipped… …   Useful english dictionary

  • wheel lock —   n.    1. a lock which prevents rotation of a wheel    2. a lock which prevents removal of a wheel …   Locksmith dictionary

  • wheel lock — noun Date: 1670 a gun s lock for a muzzle loading firearm in which sparks are struck from a flint or a piece of pyrite by a revolving wheel …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • wheel lock — noun historical a kind of gunlock having a steel wheel that rubbed against a flint. ↘a gun having such a gunlock …   English new terms dictionary

  • wheel lock — [1] A condition in which the wheels stop turning as a result of excessive braking; leads to a skid. [2] Any anti theft device for expensive (alloy) wheels. [3] The brakes on a wheelchair so named because of a bar or rod that presses against the… …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • wheel-lock — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Wheel — (hw[=e]l), n. [OE. wheel, hweol, AS. hwe[ o]l, hweogul, hweowol; akin to D. wiel, Icel. hv[=e]l, Gr. ky klos, Skr. cakra; cf. Icel. hj[=o]l, Dan. hiul, Sw. hjul. [root]218. Cf. {Cycle}, {Cyclopedia}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A circular frame turning… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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