Wagon
in ordinary language, a four-wheeled vehicle for the transport of goods, freight and produce. The ordinary wagon is a strong, heavy vehicle, drawn by two (or sometimes more) horses yoked abreast. The fore wheels are smaller than the hind wheels, and their axle is swiveled to the body of the vehicle, so as to facilitate turning. Most wagons are supplied with strong springs, on account of the weight of the vehicle, and to make up for the absence of the steadying power of the horses, who expend their force in pulling only, the weight being distributed over the four wheels. A vehicle on four wheels of equal diameter is of lighter draught than one in which the fore wheels are smaller than the hind wheels unless the load is distributed on the wheels in proportion to their diameter. Common exexamples of the wagon are the brewer's dray, the agricultural wain, and the railway truck. Carriers' wagons are generally provided with wooden bows, over which can be stretched a covering of heavy canvas or other material, so as to protect the goods carried from rain, etc.
The ends of the bows are inserted in staples on each side of the vehicles, so that cover and bows can be removed when not required. See MOTOR VEHICLE.
Wagon, in goldbeating, a tool having four edges of cane mounted in a frame, and used to trim the edges of gold-leaf WAGRAM to a size for a book; that is, about 34 inches on a side. The cane is used in preference to steel, as the gold does not adhere to it.