[riv-it] 
noun, verb, -et⋅ed, -et⋅ing or (especially British
) -et⋅ted, -et⋅ting.| 1. | a metal pin for passing through holes in two or more plates or pieces to hold them together, usually made with a head at one end, the other end being hammered into a head after insertion. |
| 2. | to fasten with a rivet or rivets. |
| 3. | to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch. |
| 4. | to fasten or fix firmly. |
| 5. | to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly. |
| riv·et (rĭv'ĭt) n. A metal bolt or pin having a head on one end, inserted through aligned holes in the pieces to be joined and then hammered on the plain end so as to form a second head. tr.v. riv·et·ed, riv·et·ing, riv·ets
[Middle English, from Old French river, to attach.] riv'et·er n. |
rivet
headed pin or bolt used as a permanent fastening in metalwork; for several decades it was indispensable in steel construction. A head is formed on the plain end of the pin by hammering or by direct pressure. Cold riveting is practicable for small rivets of copper, brass, aluminum, iron, or steel, but the larger iron and steel rivets have to be heated to secure rapid and easy closing.
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