freewheel

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A power-transmission device that allows the drive shaft of a motor vehicle to continue turning when its speed is greater than that of the engine shaft.
2. n. A clutch in the rear-wheel hub of a bicycle that permits the wheel to turn without pedal action, as in coasting.
3. v. To continue turning or spinning after disengagement from the drive mechanism.
4. v. To live or move freely and sometimes aimlessly or irresponsibly.
5. v. To operate independently or free of restraints.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. To ride a bicycle with the wheel free from the control of the pedals; coast.
2. To free the wheel of a bicycle from the control of the pedals.

Wiktionary

1. n. a device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft.
2. v. of a gear To continue spinning after disengagement.
3. v. of a cyclist To ride a bicycle without pedalling, e.g. downhill.
4. v. To operate a motor vehicle which is coasting without power, e.g. downhill.
5. v. by extension To operate free from constraints.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Mach.) A clutch fitted in the rear hub of a cycle, which engages the rear sprocket with the rear wheel when the pedals are rotated forwards, but permits the rear wheel to run on free from the rear sprocket when the pedals are stopped or rotated backwards. Freewheelcycles are usually fitted with hub brakes or rim brakes, operated by back pedaling.
2. v. Of a freewheel cycle, to run on while the pedals are held still.
3. v. Of a person, to ride a cycle of this manner; to coast in a vehicle having a freewheel. To ride a freewheel cycle.
4. v. (Mach.) To operate like a freewheel, so that one part moves freely over another which normally moves with it; -- said of a clutch.
5. v. to act without controls, external or internal; to live freely, independently, and without concern; -- of people.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. coast in a vehicle using the freewheel
2. v. live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
3. n. a clutch (as on the rear wheel of a bicycle) that allows wheels to turn freely (as in coasting)