Main Entry:

¹ham·mer

Pronunciation:

\ˈha-mər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English hamer, from Old English hamor; akin to Old High German hamar hammer, and perhaps to Old Church Slavic kamen-, kamy stone, Greek akmē point, edge — more at edge

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a hand tool consisting of a solid head set crosswise on a handle and used for pounding b: a power tool that often substitutes a metal block or a drill for the hammerhead2: something that resembles a hammer in form or action: as a: a lever with a striking head for ringing a bell or striking a gong b (1): an arm that strikes the cap in a percussion lock to ignite the propelling charge (2): a part of the action of a modern gun that strikes the primer of the cartridge in firing or that strikes the firing pin to ignite the cartridge c: malleus d: gavel e (1): a padded mallet in a piano action for striking a string (2): a hand mallet for playing on various percussion instruments (as a xylophone) 3: a metal sphere thrown for distance in the hammer throw4: accelerator b

— under the hammer

: for sale at auction