American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition - n. A simple machine consisting of an axle to which a
wheel is fastened so that torque applied to the wheel winds a
rope or chain onto the axle, yielding a mechanical advantage
equal to the ratio of the diameter of the wheel to that of the
axle. - n. a simple machine consisting of a wheel (or similar
lever) that turns an axle around which a cord is wound; its
mechanical advantage is the ratio of the diameters of the wheel
and axle GNU Webster's 1913 - n. (Mech.) one of the elementary
machines or mechanical powers, consisting of a wheel fixed to an
axle, and used for raising great weights, by applying the power
to the circumference of the wheel, and attaching the weight, by
a rope or chain, to that of the axle. Called also axis in
peritrochio, and perpetual lever, -- the principle of
equilibrium involved being the same as in the lever, while its
action is continuous. See Mechanical powers, under Mechanical. -
n. hoist so arranged that a rop