Catherine wheel

noun

1. a firework that revolves on a pin, making a wheel of fire or sparks; pinwheel.
2. wheel window.

Catherine wheel

noun

1. Also calledpinwheel a type of firework consisting of a powder-filled spiral tube, mounted with a pin through its centre. When lit it rotates quickly, producing a display of sparks and coloured flame
2. a circular window having ribs radiating from the centre

Word History and Origins

Origin of Catherine wheel¹

1175–1225; Middle English; named after St. Catherine of Alexandria, from wheel used to torture her

Word History and Origins

Origin of Catherine wheel¹

C16: named after St Catherine of Alexandria

Example Sentences

After which he went away as a catherine-wheel, and I saw him no more.

From Project Gutenberg

This sends the hair all out like a Catherine-wheel, and dries the brush with quite astonishing rapidity.

From Project Gutenberg

The most beautiful of these is the Snow-white, looking, with its radii of different lengths, like a lighted catherine-wheel.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed to Plunger, so far as he had any sensation at all, that he was performing the part of a human catherine-wheel.

From Project Gutenberg

The Catherine Wheel (Fig. 556), however, is the most usual heraldic form.

From Project Gutenberg