1. The figure of a wheel with spikes projecting from its circumference (in reference to the legend of St. Catherine’s martyrdom). esp. in Heraldry.
[a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 1942. Hat ȝarkin fowr hweoles, ant let þurhdriuen þrefter þe spaken ant te felien mid irnene gadien.]
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XII. xv. 206. Others likewise have (as they brag) a Katharine wheel upon their bodies.
1650. B., Discolliminium, 17. Though they turn their Rowels into Katherine-wheeles till they have over-taken their Ends.
1703. Lond. Gaz., No. 3906/4. The Coat 2 Spread Eagles quarter’d with Catharine Wheels.
1864. Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., xxi. (ed. 3), 363. A Catherine-wheel or.
attrib. 1607. Webster, Northw. Hoe, III. i. A short Dutch waist, with a round Catherine-Wheel Fardingale.
2. Arch. (Also Catherine-wheel window.) ‘A window or compartment of a window of a circular form with radiating divisions or spokes’ (Gwilt).
1848. Rickman, Goth. Archit. (ed. 5), p. xxxviii. A circular window filled with fine flowing tracery, of the character often called a ‘Catherine Wheel.’
3. A kind of firework that rotates, while burning, in the manner of a wheel. (Also called pin-wheel.)
1760. Wilson, in Phil. Trans., LI. 906. In the same manner that a Catherine-wheel is made to turn round in a direction contrary to that in which the small rockets affixed to its periphery discharge themselves.
1836. E. Howard, R. Reefer, xvi. A noble Catherine wheel had just begun to fizz.
1836–7. Dickens, Sk. Boz (1850), 188/2. ‘S—s—s!’ whispered the mischief-maker, making a noise like the first indication a catherine-wheel gives of the probability of its going off.
4. transf. and fig. (chiefly from 3). Also attrib. To turn Catherine-wheels: to turn lateral summersaults (= CART-WHEEL 3).
1861. Times, 29 July, 5/6. The Catherine wheel is busy throwing out sparks and fiery flashes all round the world.
1870. Lowell, Study Wind. (1886), 79. Catharine-wheel republics, always in revolution while the powder lasts.
1881. Emma J. Worboise, Sissie, xxiv. I have seen that boy put down his basket of medicine and turn ‘Catherine wheels’ in the street.
1887. Sat. Rev., 16 July, 100/1. [Mr. Gale] admits that the ‘Catherine Wheel’ style of bowling has enabled bowlers to acquire a double break.
