grommet

[ grom-it ]
/ ˈgrɒm ɪt /

noun

Machinery.
  1. any of various rings or eyelets of metal or the like.
  2. an insulated washer of rubber or plastic, inserted in a hole in a metal part to prevent grounding of a wire passing through the hole.
Nautical.
  1. a ring or strop of fiber or wire; becket.
  2. a ring having a thickness of three strands, made by forming a loop of a single strand, then laying the ends around the loop.
  3. a ring of fiber used as a seal or gasket, as under the head of a bolt.
a washer or packing for sealing joints between sections of pipe.
Military. a stiff ring of rubber or metal inside the top of a service cap, designed to keep the top of the cap stretched flat.
a metal-bound eyelet in cloth, sometimes used decoratively, as on a garment.

verb (used with object)

to fasten with a grommet.
Also grummet.

Origin of grommet

First recorded in 1620–30, grommet is from the obsolete French word gromette curb of bridle < ?

Example sentences from the Web for grommet

British Dictionary definitions for grommet

grommet

grummet

/ (ˈɡrɒmɪt) /

noun

a ring of rubber or plastic or a metal eyelet designed to line a hole to prevent a cable or pipe passed through it from chafing
a ring of rope hemp used to stuff the gland of a pipe joint
med a small tube inserted into the eardrum in cases of glue ear in order to allow air to enter the middle ear
Australian informal a young or inexperienced surfer

Word Origin for grommet

C15: from obsolete French gourmette chain linking the ends of a bit, from gourmer bridle, of unknown origin