[pin] n [ME, fr. OE pinn (akin to OHG pfinn peg), perh. fr. L pinna quill, feather--more at pen] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a piece of solid material (as wood or metal) used esp. for fastening separate articles together or as a support by which one article may be suspended from another b obs: the center peg of a target; also: the center itself c: something that resembles a pin esp. in slender elongated form "an electrical connector ~" d (1): one of the wooden pieces constituting the target in various games (as bowling) (2): the peg at which a quoit is pitched (3): the staff of the flag marking a hole on a golf course e: a peg for regulating the tension of the strings of a musical instrument f: the part of a key stem that enters a lock g (1): thole 1 (2): a belaying pin
2. a (1): a small pointed piece of wire with a head used esp. for fastening cloth (2): something of small value: trifle b: an ornament or emblem fastened to clothing with a pin c (1): bobby pin (2): hairpin (3): safety pin
3: leg--usu. used in pl. "wobbly on his ~s"
4: a fall in wrestling
[2]pin vt pinned ; pin.ning (14c) 1 a: to fasten, join, or secure with a pin b: to hold fast or immobile c: to present (a young woman) with a fraternity pin as a pledge of affection
2. a: attach, hang "pinned his hopes on a miracle" b: to assign the blame or responsibility for "~ the robbery on a night watchman" c: to define or determine clearly or precisely--usu. used with down "it is hard to ~ down exactly when things changed --Katharine Whittemore" 3 a: to make (a chess opponent's piece) unable to move without exposing the king to check or a valuable piece to capture b of a wrestler: to secure a fall over (an opponent) [3]pin adj (1523) 1: of or relating to a pin
2. of leather: having a grain suggesting the heads of pins