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riv·et (rĭvĭt)
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n.
A metal bolt or pin having a head on one end, inserted through aligned holes in the pieces to be joined and then hammered on the plain end so as to form a second head.
tr.v. riv·et·ed, riv·et·ing, riv·ets
1. To fasten or secure, especially with a rivet or rivets.
2. To hammer and bend or flatten the headless end of (a nail or bolt) so as to fasten something.
3.
a. To fix the attention of (someone): The audience was riveted by the suspense.
b. To engross or hold (the gaze or attention, for example).

[Middle English, from Old French river, to attach.]

rivet·er n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.