brad

English

/bɹad/, /bɹæd/

noun
Definitions
  • A thin, small nail, with a slight projection at the top on one side instead of a head, or occasionally with a small domed head, similar to that of an escutcheon pin.
  • (US) A paper fastener, a fastening device formed of thin, soft metal, such as shim brass, with a round head and a flat, split shank, which is spread after insertion in a hole in a stack of pages, in much the same way as a cotter pin or a split rivet.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English brad derived from Old Norse broddr (shaft, spike) derived from Proto-Germanic *bruzdaz derived from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrusdʰos.

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*bʰrusdʰos

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms