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bezel

[bez-uh l]
See more synonyms for bezel on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the diagonal face at the end of the blade of a chisel, or the like, leading to the edge.
  2. Jewelry.
    1. that part of a ring, bracelet, etc., to which gems are attached.
    2. crown(def 27).
  3. a grooved ring or rim holding a gem, watch crystal, etc., in its setting.
  4. Automotive. the part of a vehicle's bodywork that surrounds a light.
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Origin of bezel

1605–15; akin to French biseau bevel, chamfer
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bezel

Historical Examples

  • The bezel is raised by four steps or tables, and engraved with a monogram.

    Finger-Ring Lore

    William Jones

  • A simple hoop, flattened out on the bezel, which is engraved with the palm-branch.

    Finger-Ring Lore

    William Jones

  • An antique Roman silver ring, the bezel engraved with a hare.

    Finger-Ring Lore

    William Jones

  • Bind the bezel on this piece, wash with borax, and solder it in place.

  • Solder the bezel and the open part of the ring at the same time.

British Dictionary definitions for bezel

bezel

noun
  1. the sloping face adjacent to the working edge of a cutting tool
  2. the upper oblique faces of a cut gem
  3. a grooved ring or part holding a gem, watch crystal, etc
  4. a retaining outer rim used in vehicle instruments, e.g. in tachometers and speedometers
  5. a small indicator light used in vehicle instrument panels
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Word Origin

C17: probably from French biseau, perhaps from Latin bis twice
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bezel

n.

1610s, "sloping edge," also "groove in which a stone is set," from Old French *besel (13c.; Modern French biseau), cognate with Spanish bisel; of uncertain origin, perhaps literally "a stone with two angles," from Vulgar Latin *bis-alus, from bis- "twice" (see bis-) + ala "wing, side" (see alar). Meaning "oblique face of a gem" is from c.1840. The verb meaning "grind (a tool) down to an edge" is from 1670s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper