[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. |
| riv·et·ing (rĭv'ĭ-tĭng) adj. Wholly absorbing or engrossing one's attention; fascinating: The last chapter was so riveting that I was reading past midnight. riv'et·ing·ly adv. |