[man.drel] also man.dril n [prob. modif. of F mandrin] (1665) 1 a: a usu. tapered or cylindrical axle, spindle, or arbor inserted into a hole in a piece of work to support it during machining b: a metal bar that serves as a core around which material (as metal) may be cast, molded, forged, bent, or otherwise shaped
2: the shaft and bearings on which a tool (as a circular saw) is mounted