freewheel
Short definition from Wiktionary
Noun
- A device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft.
- The mode or state of operation thus produced: Synonym of neutral.
Verb
- To continue spinning after disengagement.
- To ride a bicycle without pedalling, e.g. downhill.
- To operate a motor vehicle which is coasting without power, e.g. downhill.
- To operate free from constraints.
We haven’t written up freewheel yet: Simple and Standard meanings, examples and a quiz.