Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Water wheel
Wa′ter wheelˊ
.1.
Any wheel for propelling machinery or for other purposes, that is made to rotate by the direct action of water; – called an
overshot wheel
when the water is applied at the top, an undershot wheel
when at the bottom, a breast wheel
when at an intermediate point; other forms are called reaction wheel
, vortex wheel
, turbine wheel
, etc. 2.
The paddle wheel of a steam vessel.
3.
A wheel for raising water; a noria, or the like.