trunk-nail

A carpenter hammers a trunk-nail into a wooden crate.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A nail used for securing trunks: A "trunk-nail" is a type of nail specifically designed to fasten the metal bands or hinges on a trunk (a large, sturdy box used for storage or travel). It is typically short, thick, and has a broad, flat head.

Usage Examples

• (Nails used to fix the trunk's metal fittings.)
• (Nails intended for trunk repairs.)

Advanced Usage

• "to drive a trunk-nail": to hammer such a nail into a trunk.

  • The craftsman carefully drove a trunk-nail through the leather strap. (He inserted the nail with precision.)

• "trunk-nail hole": a pre-drilled hole for inserting a trunk-nail.

  • The trunk's lid had several trunk-nail holes along the edge. (Holes made to receive the nails.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trunk (n): a large, strong box for storing or transporting goods.

  • The sailor packed his belongings into a wooden trunk.

• Nail (n): a thin, pointed piece of metal hammered into materials as a fastener.

  • He used a nail to hang the picture on the wall.

Synonyms

• Fastener: a device that holds objects together.
• Spike: a large, thick nail (though not specific to trunks).

Phrasal Verbs

• Nail down: to fasten something securely with nails.
  • He nailed down the trunk's lid to prevent it from opening. (He used nails to secure it.)

Related Idioms

• "A nail in one's coffin": something that contributes to one's downfall or end (not directly related to trunk-nails but uses "nail").
  • Every missed deadline was a nail in his coffin at work. (Each failure harmed his career.)

No idioms or phrasal verbs are specifically associated with "trunk-nail" itself, as it is a specialized, compound term.