rivet

Meanings

Noun

• A cylindrical mechanical fastener that attaches multiple parts together by fitting through a hole and deforming the head(s) at either end.
• Any fixed point or certain basis.
• A light kind of footman's armour.

Verb

• To attach or fasten parts by using rivets.
• To install rivets.
• To command the attention of.
• To make firm or immovable.

Origin

• 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 a which in turn is derived from the English noun.