A metallic pin with a head, used for uniting two plates or pieces of material together, by passing it through them and then beating or pressing down the point so that it shall spread out and form a second head; a pin or bolt headed or clinched at both ends. [1913 Webster]

"With busy hammers closing rivets up." Shak. [1913 Webster]

Rivet joint, or Riveted joint, a joint between two or more pieces secured by rivets.

rivet, v. t.

To fasten with a rivet, or with rivets; as, to rivet two pieces of iron. [1913 Webster]
To spread out the end or point of, as of a metallic pin, rod, or bolt, by beating or pressing, so as to form a sort of head. [1913 Webster]
Hence, to fasten firmly; to make firm, strong, or immovable; as, to rivet friendship or affection. [1913 Webster]
"Rivet and nail me where I stand, ye powers!" [1913 Webster]

"Thus his confidence was riveted and confirmed." [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

rivet, n. & v.
--n. a nail or bolt for holding together metal plates etc., its headless end being beaten out or pressed down when in place.
--v.tr. (riveted, riveting)
1 a join or fasten with rivets. b beat out or press down the end of (a nail or bolt). c fix; make immovable.
2 a (foll. by on, upon) direct intently (one's eyes or attention etc.). b (esp. as riveting adj.) engross (a person or the attention).

Derivative

riveter n.

Etymology

ME f. OF f. river clench, of unkn. orig.

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THESAURUS

rivet

affix, articulate, attach, batten, batten down, bolt, buckle, butt, button, clasp, cleat, clip, concenter, concentrate, dovetail, fix, fixate, focus, hasp, hinge, hitch, hook, jam, joint, latch, lock, miter, mortise, nail, peg, pin, put, rabbet, scarf, screw, sew, skewer, snap, staple, stick, stitch, tack, toggle, wedge, zipper

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ROGET THESAURUS

rivet

Junction

VB join, unite, conjoin, connect, associate, put together, lay together, clap together, hang together, lump together, hold together, piece together, tack together, fix together, bind up together together, embody, reembody, roll into one, attach, fix, affix, saddle on, fasten, bind, secure, clinch, twist, make fast, tie, pinion, string, strap, sew, lace, tat, stitch, tack, knit, button, buckle, hitch, lash, truss, bandage, braid, splice, swathe, gird, tether, moor, picket, harness, chain, fetter, lock, latch, belay, brace, hook, grapple, leash, couple, accouple, link, yoke, bracket, marry, bridge over, span, braze, pin, nail, bolt, hasp, clasp, clamp, crimp, screw, rivet, impact, solder, set, weld together, fuse together, wedge, rabbet, mortise, miter, jam, dovetail, enchase, graft, ingraft, inosculate, entwine, intwine, interlink, interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, entangle, twine round, belay, tighten, trice up, screw up, be joined, hang together, hold together, cohere.

Connection

N connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.

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