rivet

[riv-it]

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

riveted, riveting 

1. to fasten with a rivet or rivets.

2. to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch.

3. to fasten or fix firmly.

4. to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly.

rivet

/ ˈrɪvɪt /

noun

1. a short metal pin for fastening two or more pieces together, having a head at one end, the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces

verb

1. to join by riveting

2. to hammer in order to form into a head

3. (often passive) to cause to be fixed or held firmly, as in fascinated attention, horror, etc

   to be riveted to the spot

Other Word Forms

• riveter noun
• rivetless adjective
• unriveting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rivet¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (noun) Middle English revette, rivette, from Old French rivet, derivative of river “to attach”; (verb) Middle English revetten, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rivet¹

C14: from Old French, from river to fasten, fix, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

His thoughtful and riveting performance ensures that we never stop pulling for Andy, even after he dooms the crew’s most vulnerable but least interesting member.

From Salon

When she revisited that high-octane scene on set with a more willing scene partner in Pelphrey, Jones said going tête-à-tête with him was a riveting experience: “I forgot that there were cameras rolling.”

From Los Angeles Times

He chose the latter - and in many ways it was riveting and illuminating about where he is at with Celtic.

From BBC

Salonen, who gets rivetingly precise playing from the Vienna Philharmonic, joins the two parts of Webern’s quiet, sparse Five Pieces for Orchestra, each tiny fragment singing volumes.

From Los Angeles Times

"These bits here are the most impacted by rust," Petr told me, pointing at a nest of riveted joints and beams.

From BBC

Related Words

• animate 
• attract 
• beguile 
• bewitch 
• charm 
• delight 
• enamor 
• enchant 
• engage 
• engross 
• enrapture 
• enthrall 
• entice 
• excite 
• infatuate 
• intoxicate 
• intrigue 
• mesmerize 
• overwhelm 
• please