Background for nail

nail

/neɪl/

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noun

The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.

Examples :

"My little sister broke a fingernail playing with the dog. "

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noun

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

Examples :

"The insect's tiny nail was visible on the underside of its wing. "

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noun

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

Examples :

"The duckling carefully used its small, pointed nail to dig for food in the pond. "

anatomy bird part

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noun

The claw of a bird or other animal.

Examples :

"The hawk used its sharp nails to grip the struggling mouse. "

animal part bird anatomy

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noun

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.

Examples :

"The carpenter used a nail to attach the new shelf to the wall. "

material item device technology building

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noun

A round pedestal on which merchants once carried out their business, such as the four nails outside The Exchange, Bristol.

Examples :

"The merchants used the four nails outside the exchange to display their goods. "

business architecture history commerce place

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noun

An archaic English unit of length equivalent to 1/20 of an ell or 1/16 of a yard (2 1/4 inches or 5.715 cm).

Examples :

"The old blueprints showed the shelf was 12 nails long. "

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verb

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

Examples :

"He nailed the placard to the post."

action building technical

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verb

To drive a nail.

Examples :

"He used the ax head for nailing."

action building material technical

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verb

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

Examples :

"The carpenter nailed the new wooden shelf to the wall. "

action utility material

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verb

Examples :

"The detective was able to nail the suspect with strong evidence. "

achievement action

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verb

To expose as a sham.

Examples :

"The politician tried to present a perfect image, but the journalist nailed his claims as false. "

media politics communication

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verb

To accomplish (a task) completely and successfully.

Examples :

"I really nailed that test."

achievement action business

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verb

To hit (a target) effectively with some weapon.

Examples :

"The carpenter nailed the final piece of wood into the shelf. "

weapon sport military action

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verb

Of a male, to engage in sexual intercourse with.

Examples :

"He nailed the girl he liked at the school dance. "

sex human action

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verb

To spike, as a cannon.

Examples :

"The artilleryman nailed the cannonball into the target. "

military weapon nautical

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verb

To nail down: to make certain, or confirm.

Examples :

"The team needed to nail down the project deadline before starting work. "

achievement action