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rivet

Syllabification: (riv·et)
Pronunciation: /ˈrivit/
Translate rivet | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of rivet

noun

  • a short metal pin or bolt for holding together two plates of metal, its headless end being beaten out or pressed down when in place.
  • a device similar to a rivet for holding seams of clothing together.

verb (rivets, riveting, riveted)

[with object]
  • join or fasten (plates of metal or other material) with a rivet or rivets:the linings are bonded, not riveted, to the brake shoes for longer wear
  • hold (someone or something) fast so as to make them incapable of movement:the grip on her arm was firm enough to rivet her to the spot
  • attract and completely engross (someone):he was riveted by the reports shown on television
  • direct (one’s eyes or attention) intently:all eyes were riveted on him

Derivatives

riveter

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, from river 'fix, clinch', of unknown ultimate origin

Spelling rule

Do not double the final consonant when adding endings that begin with a vowel to a word that ends in a vowel plus a consonant, if the stress is not at the end of the word (as in target): (rivets, riveting, riveted).

rivet in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of rivet in the British & World English dictionary