from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Rivet \Riv"et\, 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]