Ruote

Ruote is the Italian word for wheels, the round rotating components that bear load and enable motion. In everyday use, ruote refers to the wheels of vehicles and machinery, as well as to gears and wheels used in clocks and other devices. The term is the plural form of ruota.

Originates from Latin rota, with cognates in other Romance languages. The word reflects the wheel's early role in transport and machinery across ancient civilizations.

Modern ruote vary by material, construction, and application. Common types include solid wooden wheels used historically, wooden spokes with a metal rim, and cast or forged metal wheels. With the introduction of pneumatic tires, wheels are typically combined with tires for traction and cushioning. On vehicles, wheels are part of a suspension system and are designed to transmit torque, support weight, and provide steering control. Types also include railway wheels, clock gears, and bicycle wheels.

Wheel technology arose independently in several regions by the late fourth millennium BCE, with earliest examples in Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Wooden wheels with spokes emerged later, followed by metal rims and axle systems. In Italy, ruote accompanied carts and later carriages, motor vehicles, bicycles, and industrial machinery, becoming essential to transportation and engineering.

Maintenance emphasizes tire condition where applicable, rim integrity, spoke tension in spoke wheels, and regular inspection for wear, corrosion, or damage. Proper inflation and alignment reduce wear and improve efficiency and safety.