hammer

Definition

A tool with a heavy head and a handle used for pounding.

Etymology

From Middle English hamer, from Old English hamor, from Proto-West Germanic *hamar, from Proto-Germanic *hamaraz (“tool with a stone head”) (compare West Frisian hammer, Low German Hamer, Dutch hamer, German Hammer, Danish hammer, Swedish hammare). This is traditionally ascribed to Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱmoros, from *h₂éḱmō (“stone”), but see *hamaraz for further discussion. (declare a defaulter on the stock exchange): Originally signalled by knocking with a wooden mallet.

Example Sentences

• "Bobby used a hammer and nails to fix the two planks together"
• "The nail is too loose—give it a hammer."
• "The sound the piano makes comes from the hammers striking the strings"

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