Catherine wheel
noun
Forms Catherine wheels Catharine wheel Catharine-wheel Catherine-wheel
- noun (historical or heraldry) A breaking wheel.
- noun (pyrotechnics, UK, Commonwealth) A firework that rotates when lit.
- noun (gymnastics) A cartwheel move.
- noun (architecture) A rose window.
Synonyms
Etymology
Saint Catherine of Alexandria was said to have been sentenced to execution on such a wheel, which shattered at her touch.
Webster’s 1913
- Same as Rose window and Wheel window. Called also Catherine-wheel window.
- A revolving piece of fireworks resembling in form the window of the same name. [Written also Catharine wheel.]
Etymology [So called from St. Catherine of Alexandria, who is represented with a wheel, in allusion to her martyrdom.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “Catherine wheel”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details