rivet

Etymology

From Old French rivet (13th century), from the verb Old French river (“to fetter [a person]”) (12th century), from Old French rive (“rim, edge”) (ca. 1100), which is ultimately from Latin ripa (“riverbank”). Compare river, rival, riparian. The sense "kind of footman's armour" is apparently a back-formation from almain rivet, which is apparently derived from the English noun; see that entry for more.

noun

1. A cylindrical mechanical fastener that attaches multiple parts together by fitting through a hole and deforming the head(s) at either end.
2. (figurative) Any fixed point or certain basis.
3. (obsolete) A light kind of footman's plate armour; an almain rivet.
   In 1579 it is mentioned that Almain rivets are now out of use, and in lieu of them a corselett shall be found. The rivets varied in cost; in 1509 they were to be had for 8s., in 1512 they were imported at 16s., and again in 1513 […] 1903, The Archaeological Journal, page 105

verb

1. (transitive) To attach or fasten parts by using rivets.
2. (transitive) To install rivets.
3. (transitive, figurative) To command the attention of.
4. (transitive, figurative) To make firm or immovable.
   Terror riveted him to the spot.