Nail
WordNet
noun
(1) A thin pointed piece of metal that is hammered into materials as a fastener
(2) Horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
(3) A former unit of length for cloth equal to 1/16 of a yard
verb
(4) Complete a pass
(5) Take into custody
"The police nabbed the suspected criminals"
(6) Attach something somewhere by means of nails
"Nail the board onto the wall"
(7) Hit hard
"He smashed a 3-run homer"
(8) Locate exactly
"Can you pinpoint the position of the enemy?"
"The chemists could not nail the identity of the chromosome"
(9) Succeed at easily
"She sailed through her exams"
"You will pass with flying colors"
"She nailed her astrophysics course"
(10) Succeed in obtaining a position
"He nailed down a spot at Harvard"
WiktionaryText
Etymology 1
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.
Noun
- The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.
- 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.
- One of the four round pedestals (the nails) in Bristol.
- An archaic English unit of length equivalent to 1/16th of a yard (2.25 inches).
Verb
- To fix (an object) to another object using a nail.
- He nailed the placard to the post.
- To drive a nail.
- He used the ax head for nailing.
- To catch.
- To expose as a sham.
- To accomplish (a task) completely and successfully.
- I really nailed that test.
- To hit (a target) effectively with some weapon.
- Of a male, to engage in sexual intercourse with.
- There’s a benefit gala at the Boston Pops tonight, and... well, I’m trying to nail the flautist. - Brian Griffin in the TV series Family Guy