Rivet
A rivet is a permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed, a rivet consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite to the head is called the tail. On installation, the rivet is placed in a punched or drilled hole, and the tail is upset, or bucked (i.e., deformed), so that it expands to about 1.5 times the original shaft diameter, holding the rivet in place. In other words, pounding creates a new “head” on the other end by smashing the “tail” material flatter, resulting in a rivet that is roughly a dumbbell shape. To distinguish between the two ends of the rivet, the original head is called the factory head and the deformed end is called the shop head or buck-tail.
Because there is effectively a head on each end of an installed rivet, it can support tension loads. However, it is much more capable of supporting shear loads (loads perpendicular to the axis of the shaft).
Fastenings used in traditional wooden boat building, such as copper nails and clinch bolts, work on the same principle as the rivet but were in use long before the term rivet was introduced and, where they are remembered, are usually classified among nails and bolts respectively.
Bolt (noun)
A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw.
Bolt (noun)
A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism.
Bolt (noun)
A bar of wood or metal dropped in horizontal hooks on a door and adjoining wall or between the two sides of a double door, to prevent the door(s) from being forced open.
Bolt (noun)
A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm.
Bolt (noun)
A small personal-armour-piercing missile for short-range use, or (in common usage though deprecated by experts) a short arrow, intended to be shot from a crossbow or a catapult.
Bolt (noun)
A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt.
Bolt (noun)
A sudden event, action or emotion.
“The problem’s solution struck him like a bolt from the blue.”
Bolt (noun)
A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
Bolt (noun)
The standard linear measurement of canvas for use at sea: 39 yards.
Bolt (noun)
A sudden spring or start; a sudden leap aside.
“The horse made a bolt.”
Bolt (noun)
A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
Bolt (noun)
A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one’s party.
Bolt (noun)
An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
Bolt (noun)
A burst of speed or efficiency.
Bolt (noun)
A sieve, especially a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.
Bolt (verb)
To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt.
“Bolt the vice to the bench.”
Bolt (verb)
To secure a door by locking or barring it.
“Bolt the door.”
Bolt (verb)
To flee, to depart, to accelerate suddenly.
“Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.”
“The actor forgot his line and bolted from the stage.”
Bolt (verb)
To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge (an animal being hunted).
“to bolt a rabbit”
Bolt (verb)
To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
Bolt (verb)
To escape.
Bolt (verb)
Of a plant, to grow quickly; to go to seed.
“Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.”
Bolt (verb)
To swallow food without chewing it.
Bolt (verb)
To drink one’s drink very quickly; to down a drink.
“Come on, everyone, bolt your drinks; I want to go to the next pub!”
Bolt (verb)
To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
Bolt (verb)
To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
Bolt (verb)
To sift, especially through a cloth.
Bolt (verb)
To sift the bran and germ from wheat flour.
“Graham flour is unbolted flour.”
Bolt (verb)
To separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
Bolt (verb)
To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.
Bolt (adverb)
Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
“The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.”
Rivet (noun)
A cylindrical mechanical fastener that attaches multiple parts together by fitting through a hole and deforming the head(s) at either end.
Rivet (noun)
Any fixed point or certain basis.
Rivet (noun)
A light kind of footman’s armour (back-formation from almain-rivet).
Rivet (verb)
To attach or fasten parts by using rivets. from early 15th c.
Rivet (verb)
To install rivets.
Rivet (verb)
To command the attention of. from c. 1600
Rivet (verb)
To make firm or immovable.
“Terror riveted him to the spot.”
Rivet (noun)
a short metal pin or bolt for holding together two plates of metal, its headless end being beaten out or pressed down when in place
“a rectangular plate containing an iron rivet”
“a device for punching rivet holes”
Rivet (noun)
a device similar to a rivet for holding seams of clothing together.
Rivet (verb)
join or fasten (plates of metal) with a rivet or rivets
“the linings are bonded, not riveted, to the brake shoes for longer wear”
“the riveted plates of the floor”
Rivet (verb)
hold (someone or something) fast so as to make them incapable of movement
“the grip on her arm was firm enough to rivet her to the spot”
Rivet (verb)
attract and completely engross (someone)
“he was riveted by the newsreels shown on television”
Rivet (verb)
direct (one’s eyes or attention) intently
“all eyes were riveted on him”