First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1nail
noun \ˈnāl\
: a long, thin piece of metal that is sharp at one end and flat at the other end and that is used chiefly to attach things to wood
: the hard covering at the end of a finger or toe : a fingernail or toenail
Full Definition of NAIL
1
a : a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates b : a structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail
2
: a slender usually pointed and headed fastener designed to be pounded in
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Origin of NAIL
Middle English, from Old English nægl; akin to Old High German nagal nail, fingernail, Latin unguis fingernail, toenail, claw, Greek onyx
Rhymes with NAIL
2nail
verb
Full Definition of NAIL
transitive verb
1
: to fasten with or as if with a nail
2
: to fix in steady attention <nailed his eye on the crack>
5
: to perform or complete perfectly or impressively <nailed a jump shot>
6
: to gain or win decisively —often used with down <nail down their consent>
7
: to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably —often used with down
8
usually vulgar : to copulate with
— nail·er noun
See nail defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of NAIL
before 12th century
Related to NAIL
- Synonyms
- bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, knock, hit, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap
- Antonyms
- camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask
NAILER Defined for Kids
1nail
noun \ˈnāl\
Definition of NAIL for Kids
1
: a tough covering protecting the upper end of each finger and toe
2
: a slender pointed piece of metal driven into or through something for fastening
2nail
verb
nailednail·ing
Definition of NAIL for Kids
: to fasten with or as if with a nail
Medical Dictionary
nail
noun \ˈnā(ə)l\
Medical Definition of NAIL
1
: a horny sheath of thickened and condensed epithelial stratum lucidum that grows out from a vascular matrix of dermis and protects the upper surface of the end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates and that is strictly homologous with the hoof or claw of other mammals from which it differs chiefly in shape and size—called also nail plate
2
: a structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail
3
: a rod (as of metal) used to fix the parts of a broken bone in normal relation <a medullary nail>
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