See Also: nail bed(medicine)
Nail(medicine)
nail(1)(dictionary)
nail(2)(dictionary)
nail(encyclopedia)
nail-biting(dictionary)
sinus of nail(medicine)
root of nail(medicine)
retinacula of nail(medicine)
reedy nail(medicine)

nail(2) (iou)



nail verb.

verb trans. Fix or fasten with a nail or nails on or on to something or in a certain place. Freq. foll. by on, to, together, down, in, up, etc. OE.
W. Cowper Close by the threshold of a door nailed fast. I. D'Israeli The royal anathema was nailed on the Episcopal gate at London. S. S. Buckman The draught..prevented by a small tarpaulin nailed across the opening. transf.: Dryden The second Shaft..pierc'd his Hand, and nail'd it to his side.
a. verb trans. Pierce (a person or thing) with a nail or nails. Now rare or obsolete. OE.
b. Stud (as) with a nail or nails; mark by driving in a nail or nails. rare. OE.
R. Fanshaw Those Stars which nail Heav'ns pavement!
c. Military. Spike (a cannon) by driving a nail into the vent. L16-L18.
Fix in one place or make immovable as with a nail or nails; secure. Now rare or obsolete. ME.
W. Congreve Rivet and nail me where I stand.
a. Concentrate, keep fixed, (the eyes, attention, etc.) on a particular object. L16.
Sir W. Scott I cannot nail my mind to one subject of contemplation. R. W. Emerson The man whose eyes are nailed..on the wages.
b. Hold (a person) in a particular position, occupation, etc. E17.
W. Cowper Those Whose headaches nail them to a noonday bed.
a. Secure, catch, or get hold of (a person or thing); steal; incriminate, arrest, convict. Also, catch (a person) in some fix or difficulty. colloq. M18.
D. C. Murray We shall have to wait and nail them..when we've proved complicity. C. F. Burke The cops..nail Ben for havin' the cup.
b. Strike or punch (a person, ball, etc.) forcefully; put out of action; kill, esp. violently or from a distance. colloq. L18.
Boxing News Ayala rallied..putting punches together as he nailed Espinoza with left hooks and rights.
c. In Baseball (of a fielder), put (a runner) out by throwing; gen. in Sport, defeat (an opponent), make ineffective. colloq. (chiefly N. Amer.). L19.
d. Esp. of a man: copulate with. coarse slang (orig. US). M20.
Phrases, & with adverbs in specialized senses: nail a lie expose as a falsehood. nail down (a) fasten (esp. a lid) with a nail or nails; (b) bind (a person) to a promise etc.; (c) define exactly. nail one's colours to the mast: see COLOUR noun. nail to the barn door, nail to the counter expose as false or spurious. nail up (a) prevent (a door etc.) from being opened by fastening with a nail or nails; (b) fix (a thing) at a height with a nail or nails; (c) Military = sense 2c above.
nailable adjective able to be nailed; spec. (of construction materials etc.) able to be nailed into place: M20.