freewheel

noun

type of part of a bike

L320979 on Wikidata ↗

verb

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Wiktionary

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *preyH- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *priHós Proto-Germanic *frijwaz Proto-West Germanic *friu Old English frēo Middle English fre English free Proto-Indo-European *kʷel- Proto-Indo-European *kʷekʷléh₂ Proto-Germanic *hweulō Old English hwēol Middle English whel English wheel English freewheel From free + wheel.

A device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft.
The mode or state of operation thus produced: Synonym of neutral.

verb

To continue spinning after disengagement.
To ride a bicycle without pedalling, e.g. downhill.
“On her elderly bicycle with the basketwork carrier on the handle-bars, Dorothy free-wheeled down the hill, doing mental arithmetic with three pounds nineteen and fourpence--her entire stock of money until next quarter-day.”
To operate a motor vehicle which is coasting without power, e.g. downhill.
“Silently and gracefully I free-wheeled across the path of three juggernauts, [...] glided across the hard shoulder and came to rest halfway up a grass bank.”
To operate free from constraints.