The Collaborative International Dictionary
Bevel \Bev"el\, n. [C. F. biveau, earlier buveau, Sp. baivel; of unknown origin. Cf. Bevile.]
Any angle other than a right angle; the angle which one surface makes with another when they are not at right angles; the slant or inclination of such surface; as, to give a bevel to the edge of a table or a stone slab; the bevel of a piece of timber.
An instrument consisting of two rules or arms, jointed together at one end, and opening to any angle, for adjusting the surfaces of work to the same or a given inclination; -- called also a bevel square.
--Gwilt.
WordNet
n. a hand tool consisting of two rules that are hinged together so you can draw or measure angles of any size [syn: bevel]