Where does “bookwheel” come from?

bookwheel (English) comes from English wheel, from Middle English whel, from Old English hwēol, from Proto-Germanic hweulō, from Proto-Indo-European kʷékʷléh₂, from Proto-Indo-European kʷékʷlos, from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- — to turn.

bookwheel (English): A millwheel-shaped contraption allowing a reader to toggle between different books, all kept upright on separate shelves as the wheel turns

Definitions

  1. A millwheel-shaped contraption allowing a reader to toggle between different books, all kept upright on separate shelves as the wheel turns

Ancestry of “bookwheel”, step by step

bookwheel traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English wheel

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwheelA circular device capable of rotating on its...
2Middle EnglishwhelA wheel circular device for motion
3Old Englishhwēolwheel
4Proto-Germanichweulōnominative/vocative/accusative plural of *hwehwlą
5Proto-Indo-Europeankʷékʷléh₂
6Proto-Indo-Europeankʷékʷloswheel; circle
7Proto-Indo-Europeankʷel-to turn

via English Book

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishBookthe Bible
2Germanbūchbook collection of sheets of paper bound together to hinge at one edge; long work fit for publication
3Middle High Germanbuoch
4Old High Germanbuohbook
5Proto-Germanicbōk
6Proto-Germanicbakanąto bake
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₃g-to bake, to roast, to fry
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷel-Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷékʷlosEvery word from Proto-Indo-European kʷékʷléh₂
bookwheel — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer