Whee·ler (w??l?r, hw??-), John Archibald 1911-2008. American theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to quantum physics and general relativity. He coined the terms “black hole” and “wormhole.”American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.