screw-nut

screw-nut

A worker tightens a screw-nut onto a bolt with a wrench.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A mechanical fastener: "screw-nut" (also written as "screw nut") refers to a small, typically hexagonal or square block of metal with a threaded hole in its center, designed to be screwed onto a bolt or screw to hold parts together or to adjust tension.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The mechanic tightened the screw-nut to secure the wheel. (The fastener was used to hold the wheel in place.)
    • You need a wrench to turn the screw-nut on this pipe fitting. (The tool is required to rotate the nut for assembly.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Locking screw-nut": a type of nut that resists loosening under vibration.

    • A locking screw-nut is essential for heavy machinery to prevent accidental disassembly. (The nut has a built-in mechanism to stay tight.)

  • "Screw-nut assembly": the combination of a screw (or bolt) and a nut used together.

    • The screw-nut assembly must be torqued to the manufacturer's specification. (The pair of parts must be tightened correctly.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Screw (n): a threaded fastener with a head, often used without a nut.

    • He drove the screw into the wood with a drill. (The fastener was inserted directly.)

  • Nut (n): the female threaded component of a fastener.

    • The nut was too small for the bolt. (The threaded hole did not match.)

  • Bolt (n): a threaded fastener typically used with a nut.

    • The bolt passed through the metal plates and was secured with a nut. (The two parts worked together.)
Synonyms
  • Fastener nut: a general term for any threaded nut.
  • Hex nut: a specific type of screw-nut with six sides.
  • Cap nut: a nut with a domed top for aesthetic or protective purposes.
Related Idioms

  • Tighten the screw-nut: to apply pressure or enforce rules more strictly (figurative).

    • The manager decided to tighten the screw-nut on deadlines. (He made the schedule stricter.)

  • A screw-nut loose: a humorous or colloquial way to describe someone who is slightly eccentric or not thinking clearly.

    • He has a screw-nut loose if he thinks that plan will work. (He is acting foolishly or unreasonably.)