cog

柯林斯词典

1. N-COUNT A cog is a wheel with square or triangular teeth around the edge, which is used in a machine to turn another wheel or part. 齿轮
2. PHRASE If you describe someone as a cog in a machine or wheel, you mean that they are a small part of a large organization or group. (大型机构或组织中的)小人物[v-link PHR]
Mr. Lake was an important cog in the republican campaign machine. 雷克先生是共和党竞选机器中一个小人物，但却发挥了重要作用。
3. N-COUNT a tenon that projects from the end of a timber beam for fitting into a mortise (木工)凸榫