nail
Definitions from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology 1
Old English næġel, from Proto-Germanic *nagalaz, from Proto-Indo-European base *(o)nogʰ ‘nail’. Cognate with Dutch nagel, German Nagel, Swedish nagel; and (from Indo-European) with Greek ὄνυξ, Latin unguis, Russian ноготь, Breton ivin.
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /neɪl/
- Audio (US)help, file
- Rhymes: -eɪl
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
nail (plural nails)
- The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.
- A spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials. The nail is generally driven through two or more layers of material by means of impacts from a hammer or other device. It is then held in place by friction.
- One of the four round pedestals (the nails) in Bristol.
- An archaic English unit of length equivalent to 1/16th of a yard (2.25 inches).
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
on fingers and toes
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spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials
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one of the four round pedestals (the nails) in Bristol
[edit] See also
[edit] Etymology 2
Old English næġlan
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to nail (third-person singular simple present nails, present participle nailing, simple past and past participle nailed)
- To employ a nail as a fastener to join objects together.
- (slang) catch.
- (slang) expose as a sham.
- (slang) accomplish something completely and successfully.
- I really nailed that test.
- (slang) hit a target effectively with some weapon.
- (slang) engage in sexual intercourse.
[edit] Translations
employ a nail as a fastener
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catch
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expose as a sham
accomplish something completely and successfully
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hit a target effectively with some weapon
