Main Entry:

¹riv·et

Pronunciation:

\ˈri-vət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

15th century

: 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