bevel
UK[ˈbɛv(ə)l]US[ˈbɛv(ə)l]
n
A surface or edge that is not at a right angle; a slope from the horizontal or vertical.
v
To cut or shape something so that it has a sloping edge.
Etymology
The word 'bevel' entered English in the late 16th century from Old French, where it originally described something with an open or gaping angle, akin to a wide-open mouth. This concrete image of an opening that is not flush or square evolved logically into the technical term for a slanted surface or edge in carpentry, masonry, and engineering. Its journey reflects a common pattern where a vivid, physical descriptor is adopted and specialized for precise use in crafts and design, moving from a general sense of 'oblique' to a specific term for a non-right-angled cut.
Analysis
This word is a simplex form. It is derived from the Old French word 'bael' or 'bevel', meaning 'open-mouthed' or 'gaping', which itself likely has a Germanic origin, possibly related to the concept of being open or slanted.
Examples
The carpenter cut a 45-degree bevel on the edge of the board.
The mirror had a polished bevel that caught the light beautifully.
You need to bevel the edges of the glass to prevent chipping.