rivet
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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to fasten with a rivet or rivets.
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to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch.
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to fasten or fix firmly.
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to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly.
noun
verb
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to join by riveting
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to hammer in order to form into a head
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(often passive) to cause to be fixed or held firmly, as in fascinated attention, horror, etc
to be riveted to the spot
Other Word Forms
- riveter noun
- rivetless adjective
- unriveting adjective
Etymology
Origin of rivet
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
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.
The Emmy-winning “Primal” established its fable about a pair of tragedy survivors banding together against a supernaturally savage world over 10 riveting episodes that defy the common approach to narrative.
From Salon
A new generation of independent filmmakers in India is making "riveting, viable cinema" instead of "mass entertainers," Ms Choudhary points out.
From BBC
If “Intentional” isn’t consistently riveting reading, it is nonetheless sensible—and well-intentioned.
In others, it is about the drama and suspense of a well-told tale, or riveting sound effects.
Full of industry anecdotes and sobering analyses, the book is a riveting introduction to the corporate culture of artificial intelligence and its designs on all of us.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
