Cogwheels

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. This mechanical part consists of a round structure with teeth that interact with other gears for the purpose of transmitting rotational force
2. A round mechanical component featuring interlocking teeth that mesh with other similar parts to facilitate motion in machinery is described by this term
3. A type of gear with a circular shape and notched edges that engages with adjacent gears to transfer rotational movement and power between machine components

Etymology: Cogwheels is simply the plural of cogwheel, and the compound is transparent: a "cog" is a tooth projecting from the rim of a wheel, and a "wheel" is the familiar round disc. Each part has a long history of its own. "Cog" comes from Middle English "cogge," likely borrowed from Old Norse "kkr," a word for a boat or a projecting piece of wood, and it traces back through Proto-Germanic to a root with a sense of a rounded projection. "Wheel" is an older inheritance, descending from Old English "hwēol" and ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root for turning or revolving. The compound itself was formed in English by joining the two words, which is why it reads so plainly: a wheel fitted with cogs. Its plural follows the regular pattern, adding "s" to the final element.

Synonyms: gears, cogs, wheels