doornail

American  

[dawr-neyl, dohr-] / ˈdɔrˌneɪl, ˈdoʊr- /

noun

1. a large-headed nail formerly used for strengthening or ornamenting doors.

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idioms

1. dead as a doornail, stone-dead.

   After midnight, the town is dead as a doornail.

doornail British  

/ ˈdɔːˌneɪl /

noun

1. dead beyond any doubt

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doornail More Idioms  

1. see dead as a doornail.

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Etymology

Origin of doornail

First recorded in 1300–50, doornail is from the Middle English word dornail. See door, nail