Wiktionary
n. (context religion English) A rotating cylinder either inscribed with or containing prayers, mainly used by Tibetan Buddhists.
WordNet
n. a cylinder with prayers written on it; each revolution counts as uttering the prayers; used especially by Buddhists in Tibet
Wikipedia
A prayer wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather or coarse cotton. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. Also sometimes depicted are Dakinis, Protectors and very often the 8 auspicious symbols Ashtamangala. At the core of the cylinder is a "Life Tree" often made of wood or metal with certain mantras written on or wrapped around it. Many thousands (or in the case of larger prayer wheels, millions) of mantras are then wrapped around this life tree. The Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is most commonly used, but other mantras may be used as well. According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based on the lineage texts regarding prayer wheels, spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.
Usage examples of "prayer wheel".
The radio was announcing a sale on ground round steak and then some old-time rock came on, lush and mystical, cockney voices wailing through a prayer wheel of electric sitars, and we roared past Boston in a low cloud of crematory smoke.
He carefully placed the Argggedian prayer wheel on a flat black stone beside the pool, an offering, the kind of primitive act, full of ritual and respect, required of such a solemn and, yes, holy occasion.
Tell them I will make kindling wood out of the Bhodi Tree unless the man who rigged that prayer wheel reports to me.
You have heard about the supercharged caro, and spies have told you about the electronic prayer wheel in the temple—.
I built a simple radio disguised as an electronic prayer wheel and the faithful have been broadcasting religiously since the first day.
Amongst the stalls were shrines and altars where men paused to dab a spot of ochre powder on their foreheads and mumble a prayer or turn the crank of a prayer wheel.