Definition for: nail

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English

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 .

Pronunciation

• IPA: /neɪl/
• Rhymes: -eɪl

Noun

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.

Derived terms

Translations

on fingers and toes

A spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials

One of the four round pedestals (the nails) in Bristol

See also

• claw
• talon

Etymology 2

Old English næġlan

Verb

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

1. To employ a nail as a fastener to join objects together.
2. ( slang ) catch.
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.

Translations

employ a nail as a fastener (1)

catch (2)

expose as a sham (3)

accomplish something completely and successfully (4)

hit a target effectively with some weapon (4)

engage in sexual intercourse (5)

bang, screw, fuck, shag (British)

See also

• disambiguation page on both meanings of nail
• disambiguation page on spike

Other Translations for "nail"

Braille 6 Dot
Braille 8 Dot
Sign Language Spelling
Morse Code		-. .- .. .-..
Binary		1101110 1100001 1101001 1101100
Hex		6E61696C
Pig Latin		ailnay

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