Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of fastener: A screw eye is a hardware item consisting of a metal screw with a pointed end and a looped head (the "eye"). It is designed to be screwed into wood or other materials, providing a secure point for attaching ropes, wires, hooks, or cords.

Usage

• Primary Function: A screw eye is used to create a fixed attachment point. The threaded shank is driven into a material, leaving the circular ring exposed to hold another object.
  • Use a screw eye to hang the plant basket from the ceiling joist.
  • We attached a screw eye to the fence post to secure the guy wire.

Advanced Usage

• In rigging and support: Screw eyes are commonly used in theatrical rigging, curtain hanging, and for creating makeshift pulley points.
  • The stagehand secured the backdrop cable to a heavy-duty screw eye.
• In crafts and DIY: They are used in woodworking, model building, and jewelry making for creating connection points.
  • She used a small screw eye as a connector for the macramé wall hanging.

Variants and Related Words

• Eye bolt: A similar fastener with a looped head, but typically has a straight shank with a nut for securing, rather than a wood screw thread. It is used for heavier loads.
• Screw hook: A related fastener with a screw thread and a curved hook (instead of a closed loop) at the end.

Synonyms

• Loop screw
• Lag eye (specifically refers to a larger, heavier screw eye)

Notes

• The term is a compound noun. The "eye" refers specifically to the loop or ring at the head of the screw.
• It is typically used in singular form ("a screw eye") but the plural is "screw eyes."

Noun

1. a woodscrew having its shank bent into a ring