n. & v.
n. a nail or bolt for holding together metal plates etc., its headless end being beaten out or pressed down when in place.
v.tr. (riveted, riveting) 1 a join or fasten with rivets. b beat out or press down the end of (a nail or bolt). c fix; make immovable. 2 a (foll. by on, upon) direct intently (one's eyes or attention etc.). b (esp. as riveting adj.) engross (a person or the attention). riveter n.
[ ME f. OF f. river clench, of unkn. orig. ]