rivet — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A cylindrical mechanical fastener which is supplied with a factory head at one end and is used to attach multiple parts together by passing its bucktail through a hole and upsetting its end to form a field head.

2. Any fixed point or certain basis.

   Usage

   • Figurative

3. A light kind of footman's plate armour; an almain rivet.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   over his rivet he had a garment of white cloth of gold with a redde crosse

   More examples (1)

   In 1579 it is mentioned that Almain rivets are now out of use, and in lieu of them a corselett shall be found. The rivets varied in cost; in 1509 they were to be had for 8s., in 1512 they were imported at 16s., and again in 1513 […]

Verb

1. To attach or fasten parts by using rivets.

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To install rivets (see Usage notes).

   Usage

   • Transitive

3. To command the attention of.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Transitive

4. To make firm or immovable.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Transitive

   Examples

   Terror riveted him to the spot.

Noun

1. ornament consisting of a circular rounded protuberance (as on a vault or shield or belt)

   Synonyms

   stud

   Broader terms

   decorationornamentornamentation

2. heavy pin having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together

   Broader terms

   pin

Verb

1. direct one's attention on something

   Synonyms

   concentratefocuscentercentrepore

   Broader terms

   thinkcogitatecerebrate

   Examples

   Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies

2. fasten with a rivet or rivets

   Broader terms

   fastenfixsecure

3. hold (someone's attention)

   Broader terms

   absorbengrossengageoccupy

   Examples

   The discovery of the skull riveted the paleontologists