English

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Etymology

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From Middle English oylet, from Old French oillet, equivalent to Old French oil (eye) + -et (diminutive suffix). Spelling as eye +‎ -let is due to folk etymology.[1]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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eyelet (plural eyelets)

  1. An object that consists of a rim and small hole or perforation to receive a cord or fastener, as in garments, sails, etc. An eyelet may reinforce a hole.
    Coordinate terms: buttonhole, grommet, eyebolt, eye screw, screw eye
    Push the aglet of the shoelace through each of the eyelets, one at a time.
  2. A shaped metal embellishment containing a hole, used in scrapbook. Eyelets are typically set by punching a hole in the page, placing the smooth side of the eyelet on a table, positioning the paper over protruding edge and curling the edge down using a hammer and eyelet setter.
  3. Cotton fabric with small holes.
  4. The contact tip of the base of a light bulb.
  5. A peephole.
  6. A little eye.

Translations

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Verb

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eyelet (third-person singular simple present eyelets, present participle eyeleting or eyeletting, simple past and past participle eyeleted or eyeletted)

  1. (transitive) To make eyelets in.

References

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  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “eyelet”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.