n.
- a thin piece of metal with a sharp point at one end and a round head at the other, used for fastening pieces of cloth, paper, etc.
▸a small brooch or badge.
▸Medicine a steel rod used to join the ends of fractured bones while they heal.
- a metal peg that holds down the activating lever of a hand grenade, preventing its explosion.
- a metal projection from a plug or an integrated circuit which makes an electrical connection with a socket or another part of a circuit.
- Golf a stick with a flag placed in a hole to mark its position.
- a skittle in bowling.
-
(pins)
informal legs.
- Chess an attack on a piece or pawn which is thereby pinned.
- Brit. historical a half-firkin cask for beer.
v.
(pins, pinning, pinned)
- attach or fasten with a pin or pins.
▸
(pin something on)
fix blame or responsibility on.
- hold someone firmly so they are unable to move.
▸
(pin someone down)
restrict the actions of an enemy by firing at them.
▸
(pin someone down)
force someone to be specific about their intentions.
- Chess hinder or prevent (a piece or pawn) from moving because of the danger to a more valuable piece standing behind it.
Phrase
- pin one's ears back
listen carefully. - pin one's hopes
(or faith)
on
rely heavily on.
Etymology
OE pinn, of W. Gmc origin, from L. pinna ‘point, tip, edge’.