I. ˈpin noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, pin, peg, from Old English pinn; akin to Middle Dutch pin, pinne pin, peg, Old High German pfinn peg, and perhaps to Middle Irish benn peak, horn
1.
a. : a usually cylindrical piece of wood, metal, or other material used especially for fastening separate articles together or as a support by which one article may be suspended from another : peg , bolt
b. obsolete : a peg or similar object in the center of a target ; also : the center itself
c.
(1) : one of the wooden pieces constituting the target in bowling, skittles, and similar games
(2) : the peg at which a quoit is pitched
(3) : the staff of the flag marking a hole on a golf course
(4) : one of the small upright posts on a board or billiard table used in playing bagatelle, pinball, and related games
d. : a peg for regulating the tension of the strings of a musical instrument (as a piano or harp) : wrest pin
e. : one of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking cup to mark how much each man should drink
f.
(1) : drill pin
(2) : the part of a key stem especially if solid that enters a lock
(3) : the part of a cylinder lock that prevents turning unless the proper key is inserted — see spool pin
g. chiefly Scotland : the latch or handle of a door
gently tirled the pin — Ballad Book
h.
(1) : tholepin
(2) : belaying pin
i. : the tenon of a dovetail joint
j. : a triangular rod of refractory clay that is thrust into the wall of a sagger to support glazed flatware
k.
(1) : a small axle, gudgeon, or spindle on which to journal
(2) : a slender post or peg acting as a stop for motion of a pointer or lever
(3) : a slender post or peg that is used to locate two parts in proper relative position
l.
(1) : a long slender piece of metal that is used to fasten together the ends of broken bone
(2) : a metal peg that is used to fasten the artificial crown of a tooth to a prepared root
m. : the part of the bedding mortar that is forced into the holes extending through the brick
2.
a.
(1) : a small pointed and headed piece of brass or other wire commonly tinned and used for fastening clothes, attaching papers, and similar purposes
(2) : something very small : a thing of small value : trifle
doesn't care a pin for her
b.
(1) : a decorative fastener in the form of a straight pointed wire with a plain or ornamented head (as a tiepin or hatpin) or a small ornamental plaque often jeweled with a fastening device on the back (as a breastpin or bar pin)
(2) : an ornament (as a brooch) having a pin fastener on the back
c.
(1) : bobby pin
(2) : hairpin
(3) : safety pin
d. : a needlelike device typically one of a series of perforators whose puncture in a printed sheet serves as a reference point for accurate positioning and correct folding — called also point
3. archaic : frame of mind : mood — usually used in such phrases as on a merry pin, in a merry pin
4.
a. chiefly dialect : point , pinnacle , apex
b. chiefly Scotland : the projecting part of the hipbone especially of a horse
5. : leg — usually used in plural
pretty wobbly on his pins
6. : a very small knot in a bow or bow stave
7. : a cask of 1/2 firkin capacity ; also : this capacity as a unit of measure
8. : a handled knife with a blade of triangular section used especially to remove the bloom from freshly tanned leather — called also striking pin
9.
[ pin (II) ]
: a fall in wrestling
10. : a fabric with designs as small and fine as the point, head, or width of a pin
II. verb
( pinned ; pinned ; pinning ; pins )
Etymology: Middle English pinnen, from pin (I)
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to fasten, join, or secure with a pin, peg, or bolt
pin joists and girders
pin a rose to a dress
pin a fractured hip with steel needles
(2) : to transfix with a pin or other sharp-pointed instrument
an entomologist pinning a butterfly — Coleman Rosenberger
b. : to secure (hair) in place with a pin used for arranging or setting
c. : to fit (a garment) by securing adjustments of width or length with pins — usually used with in, out, or up
pin up a hem
d. : to present (a girl) with a fraternity pin as a pledge of affection
she is pinned to the captain of the football team
2.
[Middle English pinnen, perhaps alteration of pinden to put in a pound — more at pind ]
: enclose , confine , pen , impound
held twice their number pinned within their works — J.A.Froude
3.
a. obsolete : underpin
b. : to fill in (as a rubble wall) with small wedges or spalls of stone mortar
c. obsolete : to face especially with marble
4.
a. : to make absolutely dependent or contingent : attach firmly or bindingly — used with on or to
pin their hope of universal salvation on some cause — M.R.Cohen
pinning its destiny to a weak ally — New Republic
b. : to assign the blame or responsibility for : fix by proof or strong presumption — usually used with on
pin a murder on an innocent woman — Sydney (Australia) Bulletin
pins all the woes of the world on grog — John Lardner
5.
a. : to hold or keep especially as to a line of conduct or debate : keep from evading an issue — usually used with down
pin philosophy down and make it talk sense — Charles Frankel
pin the author … down to a definite statement — Deems Taylor
impossible to pin him down to anything — D.G.Gerahty
b. : to define clearly or unequivocally : fix , establish — usually used with down
cannot pin down the essence of poetry — C.I.Glicksberg
the subject is not easy to pin down — Stuart Chase
6. : to make (a chess opponent's man) unable to move without exposing the king to check or a valuable piece to capture
7.
a. : to hold fast or immobile in a spot or position
pinned his arms to his sides
pinned an enemy to his ground by powerful infantry attacks — Tom Wintringham
pinned down by fallen rock
pinned down by heavy enemy shelling
b. of a wrestler : to secure a fall over (an opponent)
c. of a bird dog : to detect and show (game)
intransitive verb
of a file : to become clogged so that the adhering filings scratch the work
•
- pin one's ears back
III. adjective
Etymology: pin (I)
1. : of or relating to a pin
2. of leather : having a grain suggesting pinheads — see pin seal
IV. noun
1. : something that resembles a pin especially in slender elongated form
an electrical connector pin
2. : piton 2