cog
UK: kɒɡ | US: kɑːɡ
n. 1. A tooth or projection on the edge of a gearwheel.
n. 2. A subordinate but integral part of a larger system.
vt. 3. To fix (a gear) with cogs.
The word "cog" originates from Middle English cogge, likely derived from Old Norse kugg (meaning "peg" or "knob"). It originally referred to the teeth on a gearwheel, emphasizing their functional role in machinery. Over time, it metaphorically expanded to describe any small but essential component within a system. The word retains its compact Germanic root structure without further morphemic division.
The mechanic replaced a broken cog in the gearbox.
He felt like a mere cog in the corporate machine.
The clock’s movement depends on each tiny cog.
She carefully cogged the gears to ensure smooth operation.
Without every cog, the mechanism would fail.