hammer

hammer [ham′ər]

n.

[ME hamer < OE hamor, akin to Ger hammer, ON hamarr, crag, cliff < IE * k̑omor-, stone hammer < base * ak-m- < ak̑-, sharp, sharp stone > Gr akmē, point, akmōn, anvil]

1. a tool for pounding, usually consisting of a metal head fastened across one end of a handle: one end of the head may be a pronged claw for pulling nails

2. a thing like this tool in shape or use; specif.,

a) the mechanism that strikes the firing pin or percussion cap in a firearm

b) a device for striking a bell, gong, metal bar, etc. to make a sound

c) any of the felt-covered mallets that strike against the strings of a piano

d) a high-speed, hammering power tool fitted with a metal block or chisel, for shaping metal, breaking up paved surfaces, etc.

3. the malleus, one of the three bones of the middle ear: see EAR¹

4. an auctioneer's gavel

5. a metal ball weighing usually sixteen pounds, hung from a wire handle and thrown for distance in a track-and-field competition

vt.

1. to strike repeatedly with or as with a hammer

2. to make or fasten with a hammer

3. to drive, force, or shape with or as with hammer blows [to hammer an idea into someone's head]

vi.

to strike repeated blows with or as with a hammer

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hammer and tongs [with reference to the work of a blacksmith]

with all one's might; very vigorously

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hammer away at or hammer at

1. to work continuously or energetically at

2. to keep emphasizing or talking about

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hammer out

1. to shape, construct, or produce by hammering

2. to make flat by hammering

3. to take out by or as by hammering

4. to develop or work out by careful thought or repeated effort

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under the hammer [cf. HAMMER n. 4 above]

for sale at auction

hammerer

n.