n. [ F., fr. river to rivet; perh. fr. Icel. rifa to fasten together. Cf. Reef part of a sail. ] A metallic pin with a head, used for uniting two plates or pieces of material together, by passing it through them and then beating or pressing down the point so that it shall spread out and form a second head; a pin or bolt headed or clinched at both ends. [ 1913 Webster ]

With busy hammers closing rivets up. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rivet joint, or
Riveted joint, a joint between two or more pieces secured by rivets. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Riveted; p. pr. & vb. n. Riveting. ] 1. To fasten with a rivet, or with rivets; as, to rivet two pieces of iron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To spread out the end or point of, as of a metallic pin, rod, or bolt, by beating or pressing, so as to form a sort of head. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence, to fasten firmly; to make firm, strong, or immovable; as, to rivet friendship or affection. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rivet and nail me where I stand, ye powers! Congreve. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus his confidence was riveted and confirmed. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who rivets. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of joining with rivets; the act of spreading out and clinching the end, as of a rivet, by beating or pressing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The whole set of rivets, collectively. Tomlinsin. [ 1913 Webster ]

Butt riveting, riveting in which the ends or edges of plates form a butt joint, and are fastened together by being riveted to a narrow strip which covers the joint. --
Chain riveting, riveting in which the rivets, in two or more rows along the seam, are set one behind the other. --
Crossed riveting, riveting in which the rivets in one row are set opposite the spaces between the rivets in the next row. --
Double riveting, in lap riveting, two rows of rivets along the seam; in butt riveting, four rows, two on each side of the joint. --
Lap riveting, riveting in which the ends or edges of plates overlap and are riveted together. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]