Definition of the word cartwheel

The word "cartwheel" originated in medieval Europe, where it was originally called "carte volante" in Latin, which translates to "flying cart" in English. The term described a type of medieval siege engine used in warfare, which consisted of a wooden cart filled with rocks and other projectiles that could be catapulted over walls and fortifications. However, over time, the term "cartwheel" came to denote the acrobatic move that we now associate with gymnastics. This was likely due to the resemblance between the action of flipping a cart over and the motion involved in performing a cartwheel. The first recorded use of the term "cartwheel" to describe the gymnastic move dates back to the 19th century, when it appeared in an American instructional manual on tumbling and acrobatics. In its modern form, the cartwheel involves flipping the body in a circular motion, with the legs extended and the hands placed on the ground. It is a basic maneuver in gymnastics, required in many different disciplines, and has become a quintessential move in popular culture, featuring in everything from fitness classes to dance routines.