cleat

Definition

A strip of wood or iron fastened on transversely to something in order to give strength, prevent warping, hold position, etc.

Etymology

From Middle English clete, from Old English *clēat (“block, wedge”), from Proto-West Germanic *klaut, from Proto-Germanic *klautaz (“firm lump”), from Proto-Indo-European *gelewd-, from *gley- (“to glue, stick together, form into a ball”). Cognate with Dutch kloot (“ball; testicle”) and German Kloß (“clump”). See also clay and clout.

Example Sentences

• "[...] the people of that island erected lofty spars along the seacoast, to which the look-outs ascended by means of nailed cleats, something as fowls go upstairs in a hen-house."
• "I had learned that cattle willingly walk down a ramp that has cleats to provide secure, nonslip footing."
• "Near-synonym: calk"