Water wheel \Wa"ter wheel`\
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.
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2. The paddle wheel of a steam vessel.
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3. A wheel for raising water; a noria, or the like.
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