Alternative spelling of gear wheel

Synonym of mortise wheel

plural of mortise gear

(US, slang, automotive) The neutral gear when used while a vehicle is moving, especially when it is used to save fuel or to coast downhill faster than a vehicle can go in gear.

An assembly of meshed gears consisting of a central (sun) gear, a coaxial internal gear-wheel and one or more intermediate pinions supported on a revolving carrier.

(informal) To annoy or irritate one.

A bicycle that does not have a freewheel, and only has a single gear ratio.

(idiomatic) To gradually increase speed or output.

A device for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion, used in the first rotative beam engines.

(idiomatic, sports) To suddenly achieve an extra burst of athletic performance, especially after a sustained period of competitive exertion. / (idiomatic, by extension) To achieve enhanced performance.