neɪl n. & v. --n. 1 a
small usu. sharpened
metal spike
with a broadened flat
head,
driven in with a
hammer to
join things
together or to
serve as a
peg,
protection (cf. HOBNAIL), or
decoration. 2 a a
horny covering on
the upper
surface of the tip of the
human finger or
toe. b a
claw or
talon. c a
hard growth on the upper
mandible of
some soft-billed birds. 3
hist. a
measure of
cloth length (equal to 2Í inches). --v.tr. 1
fasten with a nail or nails (nailed it to the
beam; nailed the planks together). 2
fix or
keep (a
person,
attention, etc.) fixed. 3 a
secure,
catch, or
get hold of (a person or thing). b
expose or
discover (a lie or a liar). øhard as nails 1
callous;
unfeeling. 2 in
good physical condition. nail-biting causing
severe anxiety or
tension. nail-brush a small
brush for cleaning the nails. nail one's colours to the mast
persist; refuse to
give in. nail down 1
bind (a person) to a
promise etc. 2
define precisely. 3 fasten (a thing) with nails. nail
enamel US = nail
polish. nail-file a roughened metal or
emery strip used for smoothing the nails. nail-head Archit. an
ornament like the head of a nail. nail in a person's
coffin something thought to
increase the
risk of
death. nail polish a
varnish applied to the nails to
colour them or
make them
shiny. nail-punch (or -set) a
tool for sinking the head of a nail
below a surface. nail-scissors small curved
scissors for
trimming the nails. nail up 1 close (a
door etc.) with nails. 2 fix (a thing) at a
height with nails. nail varnish
Brit. = nail polish. on the nail (esp. of payment)
without delay (cash on the nail). øønailed adj. (also in comb.). nailless adj. [OE nógel, nóglan f. Gmc]