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[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

[edit] Noun

A metal nail (fastener).
A metal nail (fastener).

Singular
nail

Plural
nails

nail (plural nails)

  1. The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.
  2. 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.
  3. One of the four round pedestals (the nails) in Bristol.
  4. An archaic English unit of length equivalent to 1/16th of a yard (2.25 inches).

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

[edit] Etymology 2

Old English næġlan

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to nail

Third person singular
nails

Simple past
nailed

Past participle
nailed

Present participle
nailing

to nail (third-person singular simple present nails, present participle nailing, simple past and past participle nailed)

  1. To employ a nail as a fastener to join objects together.
  2. (slang) catch.
    • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 261a.
      we'll nail the sophist to it, if we can get him on that charge;
  3. (slang) expose as a sham.
  4. (slang) accomplish something completely and successfully.
    I really nailed that test.
  5. (slang) hit a target effectively with some weapon.
  6. (slang) engage in sexual intercourse.

[edit] Translations
engage in sexual intercourse (5)
bang, screw, fuck, shag (British)

[edit] See also

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