n. 1. A cone-shaped sleeve used for holding circular or rodlike pieces in a lathe or other machine. 2. A metal collar used in watchmaking to join one end of a balance spring to the balance staff. 3. A circular flange or rim, as in a ring, into which a gem is set. [French, diminutive of col, collar, from Latin collum, neck; see kwel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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