Rivet

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɹɪvÉ™t/
• Rhymes: -ɪvÉ™t

Origin

Old French rivet (13th century), from a verb river ("to fetter person") (12th century), from rive ("rim, edge") (ca. 1100), which is ultimately from Latin ripa ("riverbank"). Compare river, rival, ripuarian.

Full definition of rivet

Noun

1. A cylindrical mechanical fastener that attaches multiple parts together by fitting through a hole and deforming the head(s) at either end.
2. (figuratively) any fixed point or certain basis
3. (obsolete) a light kind of footman's armour (back-formation from almain-rivet)

Derived terms

• rivet counter
• pop rivet

Verb

1. (transitive) to attach or fasten parts by using rivets
2. (transitive) to install rivets
3. (transitive) to command the attention of.
• 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, Chapter 6The furnishings and other contents of the room it was which riveted his attention. He examined many things minutely--strange tools and weapons, books, paper, clothing-- what little had withstood the ravages of time in the humid atmosphere of the jungle coast.

Anagrams

• trevi, Vitré