Rivet Meaning
/ˈɹɪvət/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA cylindrical mechanical fastener which is supplied with a factory head at one end and is used to attach multiple parts together by passing its bucktail through a hole and upsetting its end to form a field head.
nounAny fixed point or certain basis.
Sentence Examples
The worker used a heavy machine to drive the steel rivet.
A rivet is a permanent metal fastener used in construction.
The construction worker used a heavy rivet to secure the metal beam.
CEFR Practice Quiz
You must ____ the metal plates together with a heavy-duty tool.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The engineer used a hydraulic tool to ____ the steel plates together during the construction of the hull.
Word Origin & History
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 apparently a back-formation from almain rivet, which is apparently derived from the English noun; see that entry for more.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"over his rivet he had a garment of white cloth of gold with a redde crosse"
— a. 1548 (date written), Edward Hall, Richard Grafton, “(please specify the part of the work)”, in The Vnion of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre & Yorke, […], London: […] Richardi Graftoni […], published 1548, →OCLC:
"In 1579 it is mentioned that Almain rivets are now out of use, and in lieu of them a corselett shall be found. The rivets varied in cost; in 1509 they were to be had for 8s., in 1512 they were imported at 16s., and again in 1513 […]"
— 1903, The Archaeological Journal, page 105:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
You must ____ the metal plates together with a heavy-duty tool.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The engineer used a hydraulic tool to ____ the steel plates together during the construction of the hull.