cog in English
- cog⇄cog (1), noun.
1. one of a series of teeth on the edge of a cogwheel or gear. A cog transfers motion by locking into the teeth of a similar wheel.
Ex. The principle of both clocks and watches is that a number of wheels, locked together by cogs - cog⇄cog (2), noun, verb, cogged,cogging.
(Carpentry.) - cog⇄cog (3), verb, cogged,cogging,noun.
- cog⇄cog (4), noun.
1. a small boat; cockboat.
2. a type of sailing ship once used in Scandinavia, England, and Holland. It had a clinker-built hull and one large square sail. - cog⇄expr. slip a cog, to make a mistake.
Ex. Many censors' howlers represent nothing more sinister than society's self-protective mechanisms slipping a cog or two (Manchester Guardian Weekly). - cog⇄noun (Obsolete.) a deception; trick; fraud.
- cog⇄noun a projection, tenon, or tooth on one piece of wood that fits into a notch on another piece to make a joint.
- cog⇄v.i. to cheat at dice.
- cog⇄v.t. 1a. to handle (dice) dishonestly.
b. to load (dice) or use (loaded dice).
2. (Obsolete.) to beguile; deceive.
3. (Obsolete.) to wheedle; cajole.
Ex. Jesting and frisking ... to cog a laughter from us (Milton).
4. (O - cog⇄v.t., v.i. to connect by means of a cog.
cog in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
cog in Marathi मराठी
cog in Sindhi سنڌي
cog in Telugu తెలుగు
Cog
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/kɒɡ/ (British English), /kɑːɡ/ (American English)
Definitions
- (Noun) A tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear that engages with another gear.
- (Noun, figurative) A small but essential part of a larger system or machine.
- (Noun, historical) A type of ship used in medieval Europe.
- (Verb, informal) To cheat or manipulate.
Usage Examples
- The cog in the machine broke, causing the entire system to fail.
- He felt like just another cog in the corporate world.
- The medieval cog was used for transporting goods and soldiers.
- They accused him of cogging the dice during the game.
Etymology
Derived from Middle English "cogge," possibly of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse "kugg" (a ship). The mechanical sense evolved later from the concept of interlocking parts.
Synonyms
- Gear
- Tooth
- Component
- Part
- Element
Antonyms
- Whole
- Independence
- Disconnection
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Diente de engranaje | /dyen-te de en-gra-na-he/ |
| French | Engrenage | /ɑ̃ɡʁənaʒ/ |
| German | Zahnrad | /tsaːn-raːt/ |
| Hindi | दांता (Danta) | /dɑːn.tɑː/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 齿轮 (chǐlún) | /chǐ-lún/ |
| Arabic | ترس | /tirs/ |
| Russian | Зубец | /zu-bets/ |
| Japanese | 歯車 (haguruma) | /ha-gu-ru-ma/ |
| Tamil | கCog (Giaru) | /gi-a-ru/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /kɒɡ/
- American English: /kɑːɡ/
- Scottish English: /kɔːɡ/
Historical Usage
In medieval times, a "cog" referred to a type of sturdy trading ship used across Europe. In the industrial revolution, the term became more associated with machinery and gears.
Cultural Nuances
In modern language, "cog" is often used metaphorically to describe someone who plays a minor but necessary role in a larger organization.
More Information
The metaphorical use of "cog" is common in discussions about corporations, bureaucracy, and social systems. The mechanical cog, on the other hand, remains vital in engineering and mechanics, forming the basis of gears and rotational motion in machines.