I. ˈnāl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English nægl; akin to Old High German nagal nail, fingernail, Latin unguis fingernail, toenail, claw, Greek onyx
Date: before 12th century
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 usually pointed and headed fastener designed to be pounded in
II. transitive verb
Date: before 12th century
1. : to fasten with or as if with a nail
2. : to fix in steady attention
nail ed his eye on the crack
3.
a. : catch , trap
b. : to expose usually so as to discredit
nail ed the impostor
c. : to arrest or punish for an offense
4.
a. : strike , hit
b. : to put out (a runner) in baseball
5. : to perform or complete perfectly or impressively
nail ed a jump shot
6. : to gain or win decisively — often used with down
nail down their consent
7. : to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably — often used with down
have nail ed down the artist's technique
8. usually vulgar : to copulate with
• nail·er noun