I. ˈri-vət noun
Etymology: Middle English, clinch on a nail, rivet, from Old French, from river to attach, rivet, probably from rive border, edge, bank, from Latin ripa
Date: 15th century
: a headed pin or bolt of metal used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head
II. transitive verb
Date: 15th century
1. : to fasten with or as if with rivets
2. : to upset the end or point of (as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating or pressing so as to form a head
3. : to fasten or fix firmly
stood rivet ed by fright
4. : to attract and hold (as the attention) completely
• riv·et·er noun