n. 1. A slanting surface or bevel on the edge of a cutting tool, such as a chisel. 2. The upper, faceted portion of a cut gem, above the girdle and below the table. 3. a. A groove or flange designed to hold a beveled edge, as of a gem. b. A ring that secures the crystal of a watch or chronometer, often rotatable and marked so as to allow timekeeping functions. 4. The frame around a display screen. [Probably French dialectal; akin to French biseau, from bis, two times, from Latin; see dwo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ![]() (click for a larger image) bezelbezel-set gemstones |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.