eyelet

eyelet

English

Etymology

From Middle French œillet, equivalent to œil (“eye”) + -et (diminutive suffix). Spelling as eye +‎ -let is due to folk etymology.[1]

Pronunciation

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /ˈaɪ.lət/
• Rhymes: -aɪlət

Noun

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.

   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.

Coordinate terms

• grommet

Translations

A small hole to receive a cord or fastener

Finnish: rengasniitti French: œillet (fr) m Galician: ollal (gl) m German: Öse (de) f, Schnüröse (de) f Irish: súilín m

Italian: occhiello (it) m Manx: lhoobag f Portuguese: ilhó (pt) m, casa (pt) f Spanish: ojete (es) m Tagalog: ohetes

References

1. Online Etymology Dictionary: eyelet