collet

col·let  (klt)

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.

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[French, diminutive of col, collar, from Latin collum, neck; see k^wel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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collet [ˈkɒlɪt]

n

1. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Jewellery) (in a jewellery setting) a band or coronet-shaped claw that holds an individual stone

2. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) Mechanical engineering an externally tapered sleeve made in two or more segments and used to grip a shaft passed through its centre when the sleeve is compressed by being inserted in a tapered hole

3. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Horology) Horology a small collar that supports the inner end of the hairspring

vb

(Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Jewellery) (tr) Jewellery to mount in a collet

[from Old French: a little collar, from col neckband, neck, from Latin collum neck]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	collet - a metal cap or band placed on a wooden pole to prevent splitting ferrule cap - something serving as a cover or protection
	2.	collet - a cone-shaped chuck used for holding cylindrical pieces in a lathe collet chuck chuck - a holding device consisting of adjustable jaws that center a workpiece in a lathe or center a tool in a drill
	3.	collet - a band or collar that holds an individual stone in a jewelry setting band - a restraint put around something to hold it together mounting - framework used for support or display