Other

rivet

Pronunciation: /ˈrɪvɪt/

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 rectangular plate containing an iron rivet [as modifier]:a device for punching rivet holes
a rivet-like device for holding seams of clothing together.

verb (rivets, riveting, riveted)

[with object]

1join or fasten (plates of metal) with a rivet or rivets: the linings are bonded, not riveted, to the brake shoes for longer wear (as adjective riveted)the riveted plates of the floor

2fix (someone or something) 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 newsreels shown on television
direct (one’s eyes or attention) intently:all eyes were riveted on him

Derivatives

riveter

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 which begin with a vowel to a word which 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 US English dictionary

Nearby words

More results for rivet

More words in this category

Subscriber login

Library card login