Mandrel \Man"drel\, n. [F. mandrin, prob. through (assumed) LL. mamphurinum, fr. L. mamphur a bow drill.]

(Mach.)
   (a) A bar of metal inserted in the work to shape it, or to hold it, as in a lathe, during the process of manufacture; an arbor.
   (b) The live spindle of a turning lathe; the revolving arbor of a circular saw. It is usually driven by a pulley. [Written also manderil.]

Mandrel lathe, a lathe with a stout spindle, adapted esp. for chucking, as for forming hollow articles by turning or spinning.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)