Collins English-English Dictionary

pin [pɪn]

1. 1. n cotter pin safety pin a clip on a hand grenade that prevents its detonation until removed or released

2. 2. n a short stiff straight piece of wire pointed at one end and either rounded or having a flattened head at the other: used mainly for fastening pieces of cloth, paper, etc, esp temporarily

3. 3. n (in combination)

   pinhole

4. 4. n short for cotter pin hairpin panel pin rolling pin safety pin

5. 5. n an ornamental brooch, esp a narrow one

6. 6. n a badge worn fastened to the clothing by a pin

7. 7. n something of little or no importance (esp in the phrases not care or give a pin (for))

8. 8. n a peg or dowel

9. 9. n anything resembling a pin in shape, function, etc

10. 10. n (in various bowling games) a usually club-shaped wooden object set up in groups as a target

11. 11. n See belaying pin

12. 12. n [nautical] the axle of a sheave

13. 13. n the sliding closure for a shackle

14. 14. n [music] a metal tuning peg on a piano, the end of which is inserted into a detachable key by means of which it is turned

15. 15. n [surgery] a metal rod, esp of stainless steel, for holding together adjacent ends of fractured bones during healing

16. 16. n [chess] a position in which a piece is pinned against a more valuable piece or the king

17. 17. n [golf] the flagpole marking the hole on a green

18. 18. n the cylindrical part of a key that enters a lock

19. 19. n the cylindrical part of a lock where this part of the key fits

20. 20. n [wrestling] a position in which a person is held tight or immobile, esp with both shoulders touching the ground

21. 21. n a dovetail tenon used to make a dovetail joint

22. 22. vt. underpin to support (masonry), as by driving in wedges over a beam

23. 23. n (in Britain) a miniature beer cask containing 41/2 gallons

24. 24. n [usually plural] [informal] a leg

25. 25. vt. [tr] to attach, hold, or fasten with or as if with a pin or pins

26. 26. vt. to transfix with a pin, spear, etc

27. 27. vt. [foll by on] [informal] to place (the blame for something)

    he pinned the charge on his accomplice

28. 28. vt. [chess] to cause (an enemy piece) to be effectively immobilized by attacking it with a queen, rook, or bishop so that moving it would reveal a check or expose a more valuable piece to capture

29. 29. vt. See also pin down

30. 30. vt. [Etymology] Old English pinn; related to Old High German pfinn, Old Norse pinni nail