Noun: catherine wheel
- A circular firework that spins round and round emitting coloured fire
"Children watched in awe as the catherine wheel spun and sparkled";
- pinwheel [N. Amer]
- (architecture) a circular window with radiating tracery
"The gothic cathedral featured an ornate catherine wheel above its main entrance"
Derived forms: catherine wheels
See also: rose window, rosette
Type of: firework, pyrotechnic
Encyclopedia: Catherine wheel