[nail] n [ME, fr. OE naegl; akin to OHG nagal nail, fingernail, L unguis fingernail, toenail, claw, Gk onyx] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates b: a structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail
2: a slender usu. pointed and headed fastener designed to be pounded in
[2]nail vt (bef. 12c) 1: to fasten with or as if with a nail
2: to fix in steady attention "~ed his eye on the crack" 3 a: catch, trap b: to detect and expose usu. so as to discredit
4. a: strike, hit b: to put out (a runner) in baseball
5: to perform or complete perfectly or impressively "~ed a jump shot" -- nail.er n