cog - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

An engine needs each of its part to work. It has gears which have wheels. Each wheel has cogs, or tiny teeth that fit together, making the wheel turn, the engine run. Every cog is essential to that engine.

People can also be cogs — they are the workers who, day in and day out, perform their duties seemingly with no end in sight. Feeling disheartened, they might say, "I'm just a cog in the system." If you hear this, remind them of the true definition of the term cog — an instrumental part of the whole.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: cog

1	n	tooth on the rim of gear wheel
2	v	join pieces of wood with cogs
3	v	roll steel ingots

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: cog

1

n tooth on the rim of gear wheel

Synonyms:: sprocket

Type of:: tooth
something resembling the tooth of an animal

n a subordinate who performs an important but routine function

“he was a small cog in a large machine”

Type of:: foot soldier, subordinate, subsidiary, underling
an assistant subject to the authority or control of another

2

v join pieces of wood with cogs

Type of:: bring together, join
cause to become joined or linked

3

v roll steel ingots

Type of:: roll, roll out
flatten or spread with a roller