wheelslide en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁-redup. Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *kʷekʷléh₂ Proto-Germanic *hweulō Old English hwēol Middle English whel English wheel Proto-Indo-European *h₃sleydʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₃sléydʰeti Proto-Germanic *slīdaną Proto-West Germanic *slīdan Old English slīdan Middle English sliden English slide English wheelslide From wheel + slide.
Meanings
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(countable, uncountable) A condition caused when railway vehicle wheels lose adhesion when the brakes are applied, due to slippery rails, and the train slides along the track instead of slowing down.
Andrew Hall, deputy chief inspector at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, said: "The evidence suggests the most likely cause of this was wheelslide, almost certainly as a result of low adhesion between the wheels and the track."
2021 November 17, Paul Clifton, “Network News: "Slippery rails" cause train collision at Salisbury”, in RAIL, number 944, page 7:Near-synonyms: skid, skidding
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| wheelslides | Number=Plur | lexicographic |