collet

col·let
C3O1L1L1E1T1
US/ˈkɑlɪt/UK/ˈkɒlɪt/

noun

A band, flange, ferrule, or collar, designed to grip and hold a tool or a workpiece under proper control, and usually to release it under control thereafter; such a collet usually is made of a hard, springy material, especially a metal.

“That collet can handle up to 3/8-inch bits.”

Similar
bezelferrulecollet chuck
OriginMiddle French collet →
Less commonScrabble 8
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Meanings

collet1

nouncollet (plural collets)

plural collets

  1. A band, flange, ferrule, or collar, designed to grip and hold a tool or a workpiece under proper control, and usually to release it under control thereafter; such a collet usually is made of a hard, springy material, especially a metal.

    That collet can handle up to 3/8-inch bits.

  2. jewelryThe rim (of a ring) within which a jewel is set.

    There is an almost invisible collet that secures the stone to the ring.

    Synonyms: bezel

  3. agricultureIn an embryonic plant, the transition zone between the root and the hypocotyl (not clearly distinguishable in most plants.)

    Collar rot forms in the collet between the stem and the root.

collet2

nouncollet (plural collets)

plural collets

  1. alternativeAlternative form of colet (“lower servant in a church”).

Collet3

proper nounCollet (plural Collets)

plural Collets · alternative Collett · alternative Collette

  1. A surname originating as a patronymic.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe rim (of a ring) within which a jewel is set.

Similar
bezel

More synonyms by meaning

nouna metal cap or band placed on a wooden pole to prevent splitting

Similar
ferrule
Broader
cap

nouna cone-shaped chuck used for holding cylindrical pieces in a lathe

Similar
collet chuck
Broader
chuck
Also see
bezelferrule

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

collet · noun

  1. Middle Frenchcollet
  2. Englishcollet

From Middle French collet. Doublet of collar.

More words from Middle French

Full word history & related roots →

Collet · proper noun

Coll + -et. From a medieval diminutive of Coll, from the given name Nicholas.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek σφενδόνη
  • σφενδόνη (sphendónē)ring's rim holding a jewel
Bulgarian цанга, гнездо
  • цанга (canga)A band, flange, ferrule, or collar, usually of a hard material, especially a metal
  • гнездо (gnezdo)ring's rim holding a jewel
German Spannzange
  • SpannzangeA band, flange, ferrule, or collar, usually of a hard material, especially a metal
Polish tulejka zaciskowa, oprawka
  • tulejka zaciskowaA band, flange, ferrule, or collar, usually of a hard material, especially a metal
  • oprawkaring's rim holding a jewel
Russian цанга, опра́ва
  • цанга (canga)A band, flange, ferrule, or collar, usually of a hard material, especially a metal
  • опра́ва (opráva)ring's rim holding a jewel
  • коро́нка (korónka)ring's rim holding a jewel
Spanish collete
  • colleteA band, flange, ferrule, or collar, usually of a hard material, especially a metal

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with collet

wallet
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

collet. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/collet

MLA

“collet.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/collet. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “collet,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/collet.

Source: collet on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.