rivet

Meaning

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. Any fixed point or certain basis.
3. (obsolete) A light kind of footman's plate armour; an almain rivet.

Verb

1. To attach or fasten parts by using rivets.
2. To install rivets.
3. To command the attention of.
4. To make firm or immovable.

Synonyms

clinch

stud

tack

concentrate

focus

peg

center

fix

pore

bolt

screw

clincher

centre

skewer

spike

sprig

staple

thumbtack

transfix

peg out

rivet connection

rivetting-nail

rivet bond

clinch bolt

fasten with nails

attract

rivet up

coin

🪙

drawing-pin

engross

fascinate

freeze

hammer

🔨

hobnail

money

💸

nail

petrify

pin

riveting

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹɪvət/

Etymology

From Old French rivet (13th century), from the verb Old French river (“to fetter [a person]”) (12th century), from Old French rive (“rim, edge”) (ca. 1100), which is ultimately from Latin ripa (“riverbank”). Compare river, rival, riparian.
The sense "kind of footman's armour" is apparently a back-formation from almain rivet, which is apparently derived from the English noun; see that entry for more.