centre-bitcenter-bitn.
/ˈsɛntəbɪt/, U.S. /ˈsɛn(t)ərˌbɪt/ A drill bit with a central point and side cutters, used for boring cylindrical holes. N.E.D. (1889) remarks: ‘Noted as a burglar's tool’; cf. quots. 1746, 1838.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > burglary > [noun] > instruments used by burglars
tricker1591
mill1607
iron1681
Betty1700
centre-bit1746
rook1788
jemmy1811
roundabout1811
James1819
jimmy1848
stick1848
Jack-in-the-box1850
Jack1862
alderman1872
cane1930
society > occupation and work > equipment > piercing or boring tools > [noun] > auger or gimlet > for specific shapes
centre-bit1746
table-bit1847
1746 London Evening-Post 16 Sept. The Fellows who committed the Robbery left behind them an old Chisel, and a Drill or Center-Bit.
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship I. 150 Centre-bit, a bit, having in the middle of its end a small steel point, with a sharp edge on one side to cut horizontally, and a sharp tooth on the opposite side to cut vertically.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. xix. 321 ‘None,’ said Sikes, ‘'Cept a centre-bit and a boy.’
1856 C. Reade It is never too Late I. ii. 50 His intelligence bored like a centre-bit into the deep heart of his enemy.
1944 J. Millar in R. Greenhalgh Pract. Builder x. 334/1 The centre bit varies in diameter..and is one of the tools most frequently employed for boring.
1988 D. Rees GCSE CDT—Design & Realisation xix. 208 For hardwood, a range of centre bits are available.
2002 New Civil Engineer (Nexis) 1 Jan. When the hole is finished, the centre bit and drill string are pulled and the casing is left in the hole.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1746