rivet

[ riv-it ]

noun

1. a metal pin for passing through holes in two or more plates or pieces to hold them together, usually made with a head at one end, the other end being hammered into a head after insertion.

verb (used with object)

, riv·et·ed, riv·et·ing.

1. to fasten with a rivet or rivets.
2. to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch.
3. to fasten or fix firmly.
4. to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly.

rivet

/ ˈrɪvɪt /

noun

1. a short metal pin for fastening two or more pieces together, having a head at one end, the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces

verb

1. to join by riveting
2. to hammer in order to form into a head
3. often passive to cause to be fixed or held firmly, as in fascinated attention, horror, etc

   to be riveted to the spot

Derived Forms

• ˈriveter, noun

Other Words From

• riv·et·er noun
• riv·et·less adjective
• un·riv·et·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rivet¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (noun) Middle English revette, rivette, from Old French rivet, derivative of river “to attach”; (verb) Middle English revetten, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rivet¹

C14: from Old French, from river to fasten, fix, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

He looked at the thin sheet of metal ringed by rivet holes and he knew instantly what it was his wife had chanced upon.

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. European Command relies primarily upon the RC-135 Rivet Joint to vacuum up electronic communications from Russia.

From The Daily Beast

“Nonsense,” muttered Hawberk, searching on the floor for a fallen rivet.

From The Daily Beast

Looked at in closeup, it reveals a row of popped rivets, with one rivet still partially stuck in place.

From The Daily Beast

She came with an easy smile into the little group, and immediately her magnetic presence seemed to rivet all attention.

From Project Gutenberg

With medium or moderately hard steel all rivet holes should be drilled, or punched ⅛ in.

From Project Gutenberg

This process of forming the second head on the rivet is known as riveting, and may be done by hand-hammering or by a machine.

From Project Gutenberg

The conical head has a diameter twice and a height three quarters of the rivet diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

The greatest diameter of the pan head is about 1·6, and its height ·7 of the rivet diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fastener
• latch
• pipe
• rod
• spike