nail

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

Plural

nails

Verb

Verb

×

A word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence.

present (v1)

nail

past (v2)

nailed

past participle (v3)

nailed

present participle

nailing

3rd person singular

nails

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

1. 1.The horny plate or appendage at the ends of the digits of various animals, including most reptiles, birds, and mammals (both nonhuman and human).

   • When I'm nervous I bite my nails.

2. 2.The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera.

3. 3.The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks and other allied birds.

4. 4.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.

Verb

Verb

×

A word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence.

1. 1.To catch.(slang)

   • Military Intelligence seems to be on the spot in a quiet sort of way. I just met a G-2 slue-foot and he was a most efficient guy! They're keeping low, I think, until they nail their man.
   • Dammit, John, I'm tired of this 'Demolition Man' stuff! […] Now, I know you've been trying to nail this psycho for two years, but try remembering a little thing called official police procedure.

2. 2.To fix (an object) to another object using a nail.

   • He nailed the placard to the post.

3. 3.To drive a nail.

   • He used the ax head for nailing.

4. 4.To stud or boss with nails, or as if with nails.

   • The rivets of their arms were nail'd with gold.

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