rivet

¹riv·et

noun \ˈri-vət\

Definition of RIVET

: a headed pin or bolt of metal used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head

Origin of RIVET

Middle English, clinch on a nail, rivet, from Old French, from river to attach, rivet, probably from rive border, edge, bank, from Latin ripa

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

Rhymes with RIVET

civet, divot, pivot, privet, swivet, trivet

²rivet

transitive verb

Definition of RIVET

1

: to fasten with or as if with rivets

2

: to upset the end or point of (as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating or pressing so as to form a head

3

: to fasten or fix firmly <stood riveted by fright>

4

: to attract and hold (as the attention) completely

— riv·et·er noun

Examples of RIVET

1. The iron plates are riveted rather than welded.
2. <everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage>

First Known Use of RIVET

15th century

Related to RIVET

Synonyms

center, fasten, focus, concentrate, train

Related Words

aim, direct, home (in on), hone in (on), level, nail, point, set, zero (in on); attend, heed, mind; fixate (on), obsess (over); refocus

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Rhymes with RIVET

pivot