fifth wheel

fifth wheel
noun
1. someone or something that is unwanted and unneeded
• Syn: ↑deadwood
• Hypernyms: ↑redundancy, ↑redundance
2. an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle
• Syn: ↑spare
• Hypernyms: ↑car wheel
3. a steering bearing that enables the front axle of a horse-drawn wagon to rotate
• Hypernyms: ↑bearing

* * *

noun
1.
a. : a horizontal wheel or segment of a wheel that consists of two parts rotating on each other about the kingbolt above the fore axle of a carriage or wagon and beneath the body and that forms an extended support to prevent tipping
b. : a coupling in the form of two disks rotating on each other for attaching a vehicle body to the front axle so as to support it in turning
c. : a similar coupling between tractor and trailer of a semitrailer
2.
a. : a spare wheel
b. : a light wheel trailed behind an automobile for measuring speed or distance
3. : one that is superfluous or burdensome

committees without authority to act are fifth wheels — F.L.Allen

* * *

1. a horizontal ring or segment of a ring, consisting of two bands that slide on each other, placed above the front axle of a carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing it to turn freely in a horizontal plane.
2. a similar device used as a coupling to connect a semitrailer to a tractor.
3. a similar coupling between a heavy-duty pickup truck and a camping trailer (fifth-wheel trailer) that extends over the bed of the truck.
4. an extra wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle.
5. a superfluous, unneeded, or unwanted person or thing: They enjoy making any outsider feel like a fifth wheel.
[1870-75]

* * *

fifth wheel noun
1. The spare wheel of a four-wheeled vehicle
2. A coupling on an articulated vehicle that allows the towing of a trailer
3. A superfluous or useless person or thing (informal)
• • •
Main Entry: ↑fifth

* * *

someone in an organization or team who is not really needed
Thesaurus: group members and describing group membershyponym
Main entry: wheel

* * *

fifth wheel,
1. Informal. a person or thing that is not needed.
2. an extra wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle.
3. a horizontal ring, placed above the forward axle of a carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing it to turn freely in a horizontal plane.

* * *

n.
1) an extra wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle
■ informal a superfluous person or thing
2) a coupling between a trailer and a vehicle used for towing
■ also fifth-wheel trailer a trailer with accommodations for camping out
■ historical a horizontal turntable over the front axle of a carriage as an extra support to prevent its tipping

* * *

noun, pl ⋯ wheels [count]
informal : an extra person who is not needed in a group

He felt more and more like a fifth wheel at the office.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Fifth wheel — Wheel Wheel (hw[=e]l), n. [OE. wheel, hweol, AS. hwe[ o]l, hweogul, hweowol; akin to D. wiel, Icel. hv[=e]l, Gr. ky klos, Skr. cakra; cf. Icel. hj[=o]l, Dan. hiul, Sw. hjul. [root]218. Cf. {Cycle}, {Cyclopedia}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A circular… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fifth wheel — Fifth Fifth, a. [OE. fifte, fifthe, AS. f[=i]fta. See {Five}.] 1. Next in order after the fourth; the ordinal of five. [1913 Webster] 2. Consisting of one of five equal divisions of a thing. [1913 Webster] {Fifth monarchy men} (Hist.), a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fifth wheel — (USA) A fifth wheel is something unnecessary or useless …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • fifth wheel — in a carriage which prevents tipping; spare wheel; something or someone that is unnecessary and burdensome …   English contemporary dictionary

  • fifth wheel — n. 1. a) a horizontal wheel like structure placed over the front axle of a carriage or wagon to support it on turns ☆ b) a similar structure on the rear of the cab of a tractor trailer, serving as a coupling for attaching the trailer 2. an… …   English World dictionary

  • fifth wheel — fifth′ wheel′ n. 1) trs a horizontal ring or segment of a ring, consisting of two bands that slide on each other, placed above the front axle of a carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing it to turn freely in a… …   From formal English to slang

  • fifth wheel — 1. a horizontal ring or segment of a ring, consisting of two bands that slide on each other, placed above the front axle of a carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing it to turn freely in a horizontal plane. 2. a… …   Universalium

  • fifth wheel — noun a) A type of trailer hitch, which consists of a horseshoe shaped plate on a multi directional pivot, with a locking pin to couple with the kingpin of a truck trailer. As the third person along on their date, I felt like a fifth wheel. b) A… …   Wiktionary

  • fifth wheel — /fɪfθ ˈwil/ (say fifth weel) noun 1. a horizontal ring (or segment of a ring) consisting of two bands which slide on each other, placed above the front axle of a horse drawn carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing …  

  • fifth wheel — (USA)    A fifth wheel is something unnecessary or useless.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    This expression refers to a person who find themselves in a situation where their presence is unnecessary and as a result they feel useless.    … …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”