Category:Pin

Pin, v. t. (metal working)

Defn: to peen.

Pin Pin, v. t. Etym: [cf. Pen to confine, or pinfold.]

Defn: to inclose; to confine; to pen; to pound.

Pin Pin, n. Etym: [oe. pinne, as. pinn a pin, peg; cf. D. pin, g. pinne, Icel. pinni, w. pin, gael. & ir. pinne; all fr. L. pinna a pinnacle, Pin, feather, perhaps orig. a different word from pinna feather. Cf. Fin of a fish, pen a feather.]

1. A piece of wood, metal, etc., generally cylindrical, used for Fastening separate articles together, or as a support by which one Article may be suspended from another; a peg; a bolt. With pins of adamant and chains they made all fast. Milton.

2. Especially, a small, pointed and headed piece of brass or other Wire (commonly tinned), largely used for fastening clothes, attaching Papers, etc.

3. Hence, a thing of small value; a trifle. He. . . did not care a pin for her. Spectator.

4. That which resembles a pin in its form or use; as: (a) a peg in musical instruments, for increasing or relaxing the Tension of the strings. (b) a linchpin. (c) a rolling-pin. (d) a clothespin. (e) (mach.) A short shaft, sometimes forming a bolt, a part of which Serves as a journal. See illust. of knuckle joint, under knuckle. (f) (joinery) the tenon of a dovetail joint.

5. One of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking cup to Mark how much each man should drink.

6. The bull's eye, or center, of a target; hence, the center. [obs.] "the very pin of his heart cleft." Shak.

7. Mood; humor. [obs.] "in merry pin." Cowper.

8. (med.)

Defn: caligo. See caligo. Shak.

9. An ornament, as a brooch or badge, fastened to the clothing by a Pin; as, a masonic pin.

10. The leg; as, to knock one off his pins. [slang] banking pin (horol.), a pin against which a lever strikes, to limit its motion. -- pin drill (mech.), a drill with a central pin or projection to Enter a hole, for enlarging the hole, or for sinking a recess for the Head of a bolt, etc.; a counterbore. -- pin grass. (bot.) See alfilaria. -- pin hole, a small hole made by a pin; hence, any very small Aperture or perforation. -- pin lock, a lock having a cylindrical bolt; a lock in which pins, Arranged by the key, are used instead of tumblers. -- pin money, an allowance of money, as that made by a husband to His wife, for private and personal expenditure. -- pin rail (naut.), a rail, usually within the bulwarks, to hold Belaying pins. Sometimes applied to the fife rail. Called also pin Rack. -- pin wheel. (a) a contrate wheel in which the cogs are cylindrical Pins. (b) (fireworks) a small coil which revolves on a common pin and Makes a wheel of yellow or colored fire.

Pin Pin, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pinned; p. pr. & vb. n. Pinning.] Etym: [see Pin, n.]

Defn: to fasten with, or as with, a pin; to join; as, to pin a Garment; to pin boards together. "aa if she would pin her to her Heart." Shak. To pin one's faith upon, to depend upon; to trust to.