rivet
[ riv-it ]
/ ˈrɪv ɪt /
noun
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 or (especially British) riv·et·ted, riv·et·ting.
to fasten with a rivet or rivets.
to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch.
to fasten or fix firmly.
to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly.
Nearby words
riverscape, riverside, riverview, riverward, riverweed, rivet, rivet set, riveter, riveting, riviera, riviera beach
Origin of rivet
1350–1400; (noun) Middle English revette, rivette < Old French rivet, derivative of river to attach; (v.) Middle English revetten, derivative of the noun
Related formsriv·et·er, nounriv·et·less, adjectiveun·riv·et·ed, adjectiveun·riv·et·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for rivet
British Dictionary definitions for rivet
rivet
/ (ˈrɪvɪt) /
noun
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 -ets, -eting or -eted (tr)
to join by riveting
to hammer in order to form into a head
(often passive) to cause to be fixed or held firmly, as in fascinated attention, horror, etcto be riveted to the spot
Derived Formsriveter, noun
Word Origin for rivet
C14: from Old French, from river to fasten, fix, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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