hammerer


ham·mer

H0037000 (hăm′ər)n.1. A hand tool consisting of a handle with a head of metal or other heavy rigid material that is attached at a right angle, used for striking or pounding.2. A tool or device similar in function or action to this striking tool, as:a. The part of a gunlock that hits the primer or firing pin or explodes the percussion cap and causes the gun to fire.b. Music One of the padded wooden pieces of a piano that strikes the strings.c. A part of an apparatus that strikes a gong or bell, as in a clock.3. Anatomy See malleus.4. Sports A metal ball weighing 16 pounds (7.2 kilograms) and having a long wire or wooden handle by which it is thrown for distance in track-and-field competition.5. A small mallet used by auctioneers.v. ham·mered, ham·mer·ing, ham·mers v.tr.1. a. To hit, especially repeatedly, with a hammer; pound. See Synonyms at beat.b. To strike forcefully and repeatedly: hooves hammering the ground.c. To assault with military force: hammered the position with artillery shells.2. a. To beat into a shape with a hammer or similar tool: hammered the metal into a goblet.b. To accomplish or produce with difficulty or effort. Often used with out: hammer out an agreement.3. To put together, fasten, or seal, particularly with nails, by hammering.4. To force upon (someone) by constant repetition: hammered the information into the students' heads.5. a. To cause harm, loss, or difficulty to (someone), especially repeatedly: investors hammered in the bear market.b. To defeat soundly: got hammered in the playoffs.c. To attack verbally: a politician hammered in the pressv.intr.1. To deal repeated blows with or as if with a hammer; pummel: "Wind hammered at us violently in gusts" (Thor Heyerdahl).2. To undergo beating in the manner of a hammer: My pulse hammered.3. Informal To keep at something continuously. Often used with away: hammered away at the problem.Idiom: under the hammer For sale at an auction.
[Middle English hamer, from Old English hamor; see ak- in Indo-European roots.]
ham′mer·er n.