timewheels

Noun

timewheel (countable and uncountable, plural timewheels)

1. A circular array of items sorted by time.
   • The three atomicity semantics of an update broadcast using the timewheel group communication service are affected by the group membership protocol.1998, Shivakant Mishra, Christof Fetzer, Flaviu Cristian, “The Timewheel Group Membership Protocol”, in Jose Rolim, editor, Parallel and Distributed Processing, page 678
2. A circular control or device on which the distance around the circumference represents an amount of time.
   • The travel of the timewheel is directly proportional to the distance traversed by the ship, quite independently of the direction in which the timewheel travels.1905 June, “The Deadreckoner”, in Steamship and Other Power Vessels, volume 16, number 192, page 460
3. A timekeeping device (or part of one) that operates by a geared wheel that advances at regular intervals.
   • As the pendulum C may be subjected to various lengths of swing by the varying power of the battery, a provision has been made to prevent it from moving the timewheel more than one tooth at each forward swing of the pendulum.1871, Specifications and Drawings of Patents Issued from the U.S. Patent Office, page 47
4. Synonym of wheel of time.
   • Kalachakra is a term used in tantric Buddhism that means "timewheel" or "timecycles."2009, Eric Flint, Grantville Gazette, Volume V

   Synonyms:

   wheel of time