rivet Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun ornament consisting of a circular rounded protuberance (as on a vault or shield or belt)
stud.
noun 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
verb direct one's attention on something
center; centre; pore; focus; concentrate.
- Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies
verb fasten with a rivet or rivets
verb hold (someone's attention)
- The discovery of the skull riveted the paleontologists

F., fr. river to rivet; perh. fr. Icel. rifa to fasten together. Cf. Reef part of a sail.

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.
With busy hammers closing rivets up. Shak.

imperfect & past participle Riveted; present participle & verbal noun Riveting

To fasten with a rivet, or with rivets; as, to rivet two pieces of iron.
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.
Hence, to fasten firmly; to make firm, strong, or immovable; as, to rivet friendship or affection.
Rivet and nail me where I stand, ye powers! Congreve.

Thus his confidence was riveted and confirmed. Sir W. Scott.