cog 
/ˈkɑ:g/ noun
plural cogs /ˈkɑ:g/ noun [count] 1 a : any one of the small parts that stick out on the outer edge of a wheel or gear and that allow it to turn along with another wheel or gear
b : cogwheel 2 : someone or something that is thought of as being like a part of a machine
▪ He was an important cog on that championship team. — often used to describe someone who is regarded as an unimportant part of a large business or organization ▪ My brother is just a minor cog in the Hollywood machine. He works as an electrician for a film studio. ▪ He's just a cog in the machine.
b : cogwheel
▪ He was an important cog on that championship team. — often used to describe someone who is regarded as an unimportant part of a large business or organization ▪ My brother is just a minor cog in the Hollywood machine. He works as an electrician for a film studio. ▪ He's just a cog in the machine.
