Cartwheeling

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The action of rotating around a horizontal axis while moving sideward, typically seen in gymnastics or dance
2. A playful aerial movement involving a sideways flip where the body turns in a circular fashion
3. Moving the body in a lateral circular motion by turning sideways through the air

Etymology: "Cartwheeling" is the present participle of "cartwheel," and the verb itself is a compound of "cart" and "wheel." The noun came first, referring to the wheel of a cart, and the gymnastic sense developed later: the move was named for the way the body looks as it rolls sideways, spokes flashing past like a turning cart wheel. The earliest records of the gymnastic use are from the 19th century, and the verb form followed as the move became a common activity. "Cart" traces back to Old English "cræt," a word for a small vehicle, and "wheel" to Old English "hweol," so both parts are native English words rather than borrowings. The suffix "-ing" simply marks the continuous or participial form, which is why the word can also function as an adjective or noun in phrases like "cartwheeling across the lawn."

Synonyms: somersaulting, flipping