Search results for 'hammer':

hammer noun 1 a tool with a heavy metal head on the end of a handle, used for driving nails into wood, breaking hard substances, etc. 2 the part of a bell, piano, clock, etc that hits against some other part, making a noise. 3 the part of a gun that strikes the primer² or percussion cap when the trigger is pulled and causes the bullet to be fired. 4 sport a a metal ball on a long flexible steel chain, that is thrown in competitions; b the sport of throwing this. 5 the mallet with which an auctioneer announces that an article is sold. 6 anatomy a small bone of the ear, the malleus. verb (hammered, hammering) 1 tr & intr to strike or hit with or as if with a hammer. 2 intrans to make a noise as of a hammer. 3 Brit colloq to criticize or beat severely. 4 colloq to defeat. 5 stock exchange a to declare a member a defaulter; b to cause a fall in prices of securities, the market, etc. hammering noun, Brit colloq a severe beating. hammer-like adj. come or go under the hammer to be sold at auction. hammer and tongs colloq with a lot of noise or effort. hammer something home to someone to impress (a fact, etc) strongly and effectively on them. on someone's hammer Austral & NZ slang following closely on someone's trail.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon hamor.