peen
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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to enlarge, straighten, or smooth with a peen.
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to strengthen (a metal surface) by light hammering or by bombardment with steel balls or shot.
noun
verb
Usage
What does peen mean? A peen is the round or wedge shaped end of a hammer, opposite its face. To peen is to enlarge, straighten, or smooth with a peen, as in Sahid smoothed the cut edge by peening it with a ball peen hammer. To peen is also to strengthen by lightly hammering it, as in In metal shop, we peened scrap pieces to learn how to strengthen metal. Example: Peen the bottom to give it a textured finish.
Etymology
Origin of peen
1505–15; earlier pen < Scandinavian; compare Swedish, Norwegian pen (noun) in same sense (perhaps < German Pinne peen). See pin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Refurbished vintage ball peen hammers with ombré painted handles are already cropping up on Instagram.
From New York Times ● Dec. 18, 2019
So this is not about paying $250 for the wok spatula with a few ball peen hammer dimples, it is all about saying, “Look at me, I can crack an egg with one hand!”
From New York Times ● Mar. 26, 2018
I tumbled out of the car, barefoot, and how strange I must have looked to him: the ball peen hammer swinging from one hand, the teddy bear from the other.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2012
Kenny Thomas at Ellis held the edge of a blade with an adjustable wrench while hitting the blade with a ball peen hammer.
From Time Magazine Archive
Your grantfat'er's furniture is still t'ere; and Frank Malpone, Dus, and I, haf mate it head-quarters, since we haf peen in t'is part of t'e country.
From The Chainbearer Or, The Littlepage Manuscripts by James Fenimore Cooper
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