English

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Etymology

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From hand +‎ wheel.

Noun

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handwheel (plural handwheels)

  1. (mechanics) Any wheel worked by hand, whether used to allow leverage, as of a valve or a handbrake, or to allow fine adjustment, as of a set screw.
    • 1964 May, “Automation in the cab—latest SNCF developments”, in Modern Railways, page 336:
      When the large handwheel seen in the illustration of a 68000 class cab is moved from "stop" to "run", the traction circuit contactors are closed and the locomotive moves off with the diesel engine running at idling speed.

Alternative forms

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