spinning-wheel

An elderly woman spins wool on a spinning-wheel by the fireplace.

Definition

Noun:
- A "spinning-wheel" is a household machine used for spinning fibers (such as wool, flax, or cotton) into thread or yarn. It consists of a wheel that turns a spindle, operated by a treadle or hand crank.

Usage Examples

• (A traditional device for making thread.)
• (A historical object for textile production.)

Advanced Usage

• "to spin a spinning-wheel": to operate the machine to produce yarn.
  • She spun the spinning-wheel slowly to ensure the thread was even. (She controlled the wheel's motion for consistent yarn.)

Variants and Related Words

• Spinning (adj): relating to the process of creating thread or yarn.
  • The spinning workshop taught basic techniques. (The workshop focused on fiber processing.)
• Wheel (n): the circular component of the spinning-wheel.
  • The wheel of the spinning-wheel was made of carved wood. (The rotating part of the machine.)

Synonyms

• Spindle: the rod in a spinning-wheel that twists fibers into thread.
• Treadle: the foot-operated lever that powers the wheel.

Related Idioms

• "spinning a yarn": to tell a long, exaggerated story (derived from the act of spinning thread).
  • He was spinning a yarn about his adventures at sea. (He was telling a fanciful tale.)