Webster's English Dictionary

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rivet

1. riv.et \'riv-*t\ n [ME rivette, fr. MF river to be attached] : a headed 
   pin or bolt of metal used for uniting two or more pieces by pas sing the 
   shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the 
   plain end so as to make a second head
2. rivet vt 1: to fasten with or as if with rivets  2: to upset the end or 
   point of (as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beati ng or pressing so as to 
   form a head 3: to fasten firmly  4: to attract and hold (as the attention) 
   completely  - riv.et.er n