nail /nāl/

1. A horny plate at the end of a finger or toe, usu distinguished from a claw in being flattened
2. A claw
3. A small usu metal spike with a head, used for fastening wood, etc
4. A nail-shaped excrescence, esp one at the tip of a bird's bill
5. A measure of length (5.5cm or 21/4in)

1. To fix with a nail
2. To pin down or hold fast (also figurative)
3. To fasten, pierce (rare or obsolete), or stud (rare) with nails
4. To expose as a lie (informal)
5. To cause the downfall of (informal)
6. To catch or secure (informal)
7. To have sexual intercourse with (vulgar sl)

nailed adjective

1. Having nails
2. Fastened with nails

nailˈer noun (historical)

A maker of nails

nailˈery noun (historical)

A place where nails were made

nailˈing noun

1. Making nails
2. Fastening with nails

nailˈless adjective

nail bar noun

An establishment which provides cosmetic treatments for the nails

nailˈ-bed noun

That portion of the true skin on which a fingernail or toenail rests

nailˈ-biter noun

nailˈ-biting noun

Chewing off the ends of one's fingernails

adjective

(of an event or experience) which induces nail-biting (as a sign of anxiety, excitement or tension)

nail bomb noun

An explosive device packed with long nails

nailˈbrush noun

A brush for cleaning the fingernails or toenails

nail enamel noun

Nail varnish

nail file noun

A file for trimming fingernails or toenails

nail gun noun

An electric tool used to put in nails

nailˈ-head noun

1. The head of a nail
2. An ornament shaped like one

1. (also nailˈ-headˈed) having a head suggesting that of a nail
2. Having nail-head ornaments

nailˈ-head-sparˈ noun

Calcite crystallized in a scalenohedron terminated by a rhombohedron

nailˈ-hole noun

1. A hole made by or for a nail
2. A notch for opening a pocket-knife

nail polish noun

Nail varnish

nail punch or nail set noun

A tool for punching the head of a nail below or flush with the surface

nailˈ-rod noun

1. A strip of iron to be made into nails
2. Iron in that form
3. Strong coarse tobacco (Aust)
4. A stick of liquorice

nail scissors plural noun

Small scissors designed esp for trimming the fingernails and toenails

nail set see nail punch above.

nail varnish noun

Varnish for fingernails or toenails

a nail in one's (or the) coffin

1. Any event, experience, etc which has the effect of shortening one's life
2. A contributory factor in the downfall of someone or something

hard as nails

1. In excellent physical condition
2. Physically or mentally tough
3. Callous, unsympathetic, unsentimental

hit the nail on the head

To touch the exact point

nail a lie to the counter

To expose it and put it out of currency, from the old custom of shopkeepers with counterfeit coins

nail down

1. To fasten (something) down with nails
2. To force (someone) to make a binding promise or to give his or her consent (informal)
3. To fix or establish (something) definitely

nailed on (horse-racing sl)

(of a horse) considered to be a near-certainty to win a race

nail one's colours to the mast see under colour

• watermarks
• water meadow
• water meadows
• water measure
• water measurer
• water measurers
• water measures
• watermelon
• watermelons
• watermen
• water meter
• water meters
• water mice
• water milfoil
• water mill
• water mills
• water moccasin
• water moccasins
• water mole
• water moles
• water monkey
• water monkeys
• water motor
• water motors
• water mouse