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nail

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Nail is defined as a thin tough covering that grows from the tips of the fingers and toes.

(noun)

An example of a nail is what would be cared for and painted during a manicure.

The definition of a nail is a narrow piece of metal with a sharp point and usually with a flat head used for holding things together or hanging objects.

(noun)

An example of a nail is what someone would hammer into the wall in order to hang a picture.

Nail means to attach or join.

(verb)

An example of to nail is joining two pieces of wood together while building a table.

See nail in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a thin, horny covering that grows out over the upper tip of a finger or toe
2. a similar growth on a toe of a bird, reptile, etc.; claw
a tapered piece of metal, commonly pointed and having a flattened head, driven with a hammer, and used to hold pieces or parts together, to hang things on, etc.
an old cloth measure, equal to 2 inches

Origin: ME naile < OE nægl, akin to Ger nagel < IE base *onogh, nail > Sans áṅghri-, foot, Gr onyx, nail, L unguis, fingernail

transitive verb

to attach or fasten together or onto something else with or as with nails
to secure, hold, or fasten shut with nails
to fix (the eyes, attention, etc.) steadily on an object
to discover or expose (a lie, etc.)
Informal to catch, capture, seize, or intercept
Informal to hit squarely

Origin: ME nailen < OE mæglan

See nail in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A slim, pointed piece of metal hammered into material as a fastener.
a. A fingernail or toenail.
b. A claw or talon.
Something resembling a nail in shape, sharpness, or use.
A measure of length formerly used for cloth, equal to ¹/₁₆ yard (5.7 centimeters).

transitive verb nailed, nail·ing, nails

To fasten, join, or attach with or as if with a nail.
To cover, enclose, or shut by fastening with nails: nail up a window.
To keep fixed, motionless, or intent: Fear nailed me to my seat.
Slang
a. To stop and seize; catch: Police nailed the suspect.
b. To detect and expose: nailed the senator in a lie; nail corruption before it gets out of control.
Slang
a. To strike or bring down: nail a bird in flight; nail a running back.
b. To perform successfully or have noteworthy success in: nailed the dive; nailed the exam.
Baseball To put out (a base runner).

Phrasal Verb: nail down To discover or establish conclusively: nailed down the story by checking all the facts. To win: nailed down another victory in the golf tournament. To specify or fix: We were finally able to nail down a meeting time.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English nǽgl, fingernail, toenail; see nogh- in Indo-European roots

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