riveter

Variant of rivet

noun

  1. a metal bolt or pin with a head on one end, used to fasten plates or beams together by passing it through holes in them and then hammering down the plain end into a head so as to lock it in place
  2. a similar device used to fasten or strengthen seams, as on work clothes

Origin: ME ryvette < MFr rivet < river, to clinch < ?

transitive verb

  1. to fasten with a rivet or rivets
  2. to hammer or spread the end of (a bolt, etc.) into a head, for fastening something
  3. to fasten or secure firmly
  4. to fix or hold (the eyes, attention, etc.) firmly

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
link/cite print suggestion box