Pronunciation: [kˈɑːtwiːl] (IPA) 
The word "cartwheel" is spelled with two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈkɑːt.wiːl/. The first syllable starts with the "k" sound, followed by the "ah" sound, and ends with the "t" sound. The second syllable starts with the "w" sound, followed by the "ee" sound, and ends with the "l" sound. The spelling of this word accurately represents its pronunciation in English.
A cartwheel is predominantly a gymnastic maneuver that involves a swift rotation of the body, performed by outstretching the arms and legs horizontally while keeping one hand and the opposite foot in contact with the ground. This movement creates a circular path as the body rotates around the vertical axis. A cartwheel is typically executed from a standing position with legs together and arms raised above the head before leaping sideways with a slight twist and springing off the hands onto both hands and feet in the first phase. As the torso revolves, the individual propels the legs upwards and outwards before landing back on both feet, resulting in a graceful, circular motion.
Beyond its athletic application, “cartwheel” also has a secondary definition referring to an antique or old-fashioned twisting wheel, often made of wood and used on carts or wagons. This wheel typically consists of a hub or nave with spokes extending to the rim in a circular arrangement, enhancing the vehicle's mobility and load-bearing capacity.
Moreover, in informal language, the verb "cartwheel" can metaphorically depict a rapid, unpredictable, or uncontrolled motion, often used to describe an object or person tumbling or rolling somersault-style. Alternatively, it can also signify a figurative expression of great joy or enthusiasm, as in "She felt like cartwheeling with excitement."
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cartwheel" has its origins in Old English. It comes from the combination of two distinct words: "cart" and "wheel".
"Cart" dates back to the early 13th century and stems from the Old Norse word "kartr" or the Old English word "cræt", both of which refer to a two-wheeled vehicle used for transportation. The term "wheel" is much older and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root word "*kwekwlo-", meaning "to turn" or "rotate".
The compound word "cartwheel" essentially refers to the movement of a wheel on a cart, where the wheel rotates while the cart is in motion. Over time, "cartwheel" also gained figurative meanings, such as describing a gymnastic maneuver or a rotating movement resembling the action of a cartwheel.
