# wheel lock

**Pronunciation:** /ˈwiːl ˌlɒk/ · WEEL-lok

**CEFR level:** C1

**Part of speech:** noun phrase

## Meaning

A mechanical firing mechanism used in early firearms, developed in the early 16th century, in which a spring-driven steel wheel spins against a piece of pyrite to create sparks that ignite the gunpowder. It was a significant improvement over the matchlock because it allowed for more reliable and safer ignition, especially in windy or damp conditions, and paved the way for later flintlock designs.

## Examples

- The wheel lock was a revolutionary invention that made firearms more practical for cavalry.
- Collectors prize wheel lock pistols for their intricate metalwork and historical significance.
- By the mid-17th century, the wheel lock had largely been replaced by the simpler flintlock.

## Synonyms

- wheel-lock mechanism
- wheel-lock firearm
- wheel-lock pistol

## Common patterns

- wheel lock pistol — a pistol equipped with a wheel lock mechanism — The museum displayed a beautifully engraved wheel lock pistol from the 1580s.
- wheel lock mechanism — the mechanical firing system itself — The wheel lock mechanism required careful maintenance to function reliably.
- invent the wheel lock — to create the first wheel lock — Historians debate who exactly invented the wheel lock, but it appeared in Europe around 1500.

## Collocations

- wheel lock pistol — He collected antique wheel lock pistols from various European countries.
- wheel lock mechanism — The wheel lock mechanism was a marvel of early engineering.
- wheel lock rifle — A wheel lock rifle was a prized possession for a hunter in the 1600s.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/wheel%20lock

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