What does spokewise mean?
Spokewise is an adverb meaning in the manner of the spokes of a wheel. It describes movement, extension, or distribution that proceeds radially, either toward a central point or outward from it. The image is of a hub and the narrow lines connecting it to the wheel's rim: something spreads in several directions from one centre rather than following a single straight path. The word has a formal, descriptive quality and is encountered much less often than the simpler and more familiar radially. It is especially apt when discussing rays of light, cracks, paths, or groups of people spreading through a place. Spokewise belongs to a productive family of compound adverbs formed with -wise, although it is now chiefly encountered as a single word rather than as part of a regular series.
adverbIn the manner of the spokes of a wheel; radially, especially toward or away from the hub.
- In the manner of a spoke of a wheel; radially toward or away from the centre.
"The signal spread spokewise from the centre of the city."
"Light radiated spokewise through the cracked glass."
"The runners fanned out spokewise from the starting line."
Spokewise describes movement or spread that radiates from a central point, just like a wheel's spokes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spokewise come from?
The word combines the English noun spoke, meaning one of the bars connecting a wheel's hub to its rim, with the adverbial suffix -wise, meaning in the manner or direction of. Its development reflects the older use of -wise to form adverbs such as sideways and clockwise. Spokewise therefore literally means in the manner of a spoke and came to suggest radial movement from a centre.
How spokewise is actually used
This is a relatively uncommon, formal-sounding formation; radially is more usual in modern English.