grommet

grommet
    n 1: fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole
         to permit the attachment of cords or lines [syn: {cringle},
         {eyelet}, {loop}, {grommet}, {grummet}]
    

grommet \grom"met\ (gr[o^]m"m[e^]t), n. [F. gourmette curb, curb
   chain, fr. gourmer to curb, thump, beat; cf. Armor. gromm a
   curb, gromma to curb.]
   1. A ring formed by twisting on itself a single strand of an
      unlaid rope. Sometimes written {grummet}.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Any eyelet or ring of metal or other material inserted in
      a hole in a sheet of some other material; in sailing, a
      metallic ring in or for a sail or a mailbag.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A ring of rubber or other insulating material inserted in
      a hole in some surface of a device, to prevent wires
      passing through the hole from making contact with the
      surface; used especially in electrical and electronic
      devices, to prevent undesired electrical contact.
      [PJC]

   4. (Mil.) A ring of rope used as a wad to hold a cannon ball
      in place.
      [1913 Webster]
    

32 Moby Thesaurus words for "grommet":
      air hole, annulet, armhole, blowhole, bullet-hole, bunghole,
      circlet, cringle, deadeye, eye, eyelet, gasket, guide, keyhole,
      knothole, loop, loophole, manhole, mousehole, peephole, pigeonhole,
      pinhole, placket, placket hole, porthole, punch-hole, ringlet,
      roundlet, spiracle, tap, vent, venthole