nail

The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.

“When I'm nervous I bite my nails.”

The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera.

The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds.

The claw of a bird or other animal.

A spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials. The nail is generally driven through two or more layers of material by means of impacts from a hammer or other device. It is then held in place by friction.

A round pedestal on which merchants once carried out their business, such as the four nails outside The Exchange, Bristol.

An archaic English unit of length equivalent to 1/20 of an ell or 1/16 of a yard (2 1/4 inches or 5.715 cm).

To fix (an object) to another object using a nail.

“He nailed the placard to the post.”

To drive a nail.

“He used the ax head for nailing.”

To stud or boss with nails, or as if with nails.

To catch.

To expose as a sham.

To accomplish (a task) completely and successfully.

“I really nailed that test.”

To hit (a target) effectively with some weapon.

Of a male, to engage in sexual intercourse with.

To spike, as a cannon.

To nail down: to make certain, or confirm.