/kol"it/ , n. , v. , colleted, colleting .
n.
1. a collar or enclosing band.
2. the enclosing rim within which a jewel is set.
3. a slotted cylindrical clamp inserted tightly into the tapered interior of a sleeve or chuck on a lathe to hold a cylindrical piece of work.
4. Horol. the tiny collar that supports the inner terminal of a hairspring.
v.t.
5. to set (a gem or other stone) in a collet.
[ 1520-30; col neck ( collum ) + -et -ET ]