Axle (3)
I believe the answer is:
rod
'axle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for rod that I've seen before include "Angler's pole" , "Spare it and spoil the child, they used to say" , "Wand - fishing stick" , "Sceptre" , "A few yards" .)