hammer

ham•mer

[[t]ˈhæm ər[/t]] n.

1) bui a tool consisting of a solid head, usu. of metal, set crosswise on a handle, used for driving nails, beating metals, etc

2) bui any of various instruments or devices resembling this in form, action, or use, as a gavel, a mallet for playing the xylophone, or one of the padded levers by which the strings of a piano are struck

3) mil the part of a lock of a firearm that strikes the primer or firing pin, explodes the percussion cap, etc., and causes the discharge; cock

4) spo a metal ball, usu. weighing 16 lb. (7.3 kg), attached to a steel wire at the end of which is a grip, for throwing in the hammer throw

5) anat.

malleus

6) bui to beat or drive (a nail, peg, etc.) with a hammer

7) bui to fasten by using hammer and nails; nail (often fol. by down, up, etc.)

8) bui to assemble or build with a hammer and nails (often fol. by together)

9) to beat out:

to hammer brass[/ex]

10) to form or construct by repeated, vigorous, or strenuous effort (often fol. by out or together):

to hammer out an agreement[/ex]

11) to pound or hit forcefully (often fol. by out):

to hammer out a tune on the piano[/ex]

12) to settle or resolve, as by strenuous or repeated effort (usu. fol. by out):

They hammered out their differences at last[/ex]

13) to present (points in an argument, an idea, etc.) forcefully or compellingly:

hammering home the need for action[/ex]

14) cvb to impress (something) as if by hammer blows:

to hammer rules into someone's head[/ex]

15) to strike blows with or as if with a hammer

16) to make persistent or laborious attempts to finish or perfect something (sometimes fol. by away):

She hammered away at her speech for days[/ex]

17) to reiterate; emphasize by repetition (often fol. by away)

•

- under the hammer

Etymology: bef. 1000; ME hamer, OE hamor, c. OS hamur, OHG hamar hammer, ON hamarr hammer, crag ham′mer•er, n.