[f. SPINNING vbl. sb. Cf. Du. spinnewiel, WFris. spinwiele, NFris. spenweel.] A simple apparatus for spinning, formerly in common use, in which the formation of the thread is carried out by the help of a wheel worked either by the hand or foot.
1404. Nottingham Rec., II. 22. j. spynyng wheel.
1475. Maldon Crt. Rolls Bundle 49 No. 8. 1 saucer, 1 spynnyng-whele in manu servientis.
c. 1529. Skelton, E. Rummyng, 296. Some layde to pledge … Theyr rocke, theyr spynnyng whele.
1542. Richmond Wills (Surtees), 30. Item a spynnyng qweyll.
1617. Shuttleworths’ Acc. (Chetham Soc.), 220. To the cookes wiffe, for a spinninge wheele, ijs iiijd.
1714. Gay, Sheph. Week, v. 123. My Spinning-Wheel and Rake, Let Susan keep for her dear Sister’s sake.
1790. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, July. We had begun some intercourse … through an application I made to her for a spinning-wheel.
1859. Jephson, Brittany, vi. 67. I found the good-wife sitting at her spinning-wheel, and in the recess I observed two looms.
1882. Caulfeild & Saward, Dict. Needlework, 458. Spinning wheels were universally employed on the Continent of Europe and in this country until the year 1764.
attrib. and Comb. 1801. Encycl. Brit., Suppl. II. 520/1. The upper pivot (which resembles the fore pivot or eye of a spinning wheel fly).
1876. Smiles, Sc. Natur., vi. 101. The night-jar … was still out with his spinning-wheel-like birr, birr.
1884. Littell, Living Age, 691. The spinning-wheel sound which betrays the bear sucking his paws at his ease.
