Literary notes about rivet (AI summary)
The term "rivet" traverses a broad literary spectrum, functioning both literally and metaphorically. In technical contexts, it denotes a metal fastener—its use in precise instructions and structural descriptions emphasizes its role in binding materials securely [1][2][3][4]. Conversely, many authors employ "rivet" metaphorically to capture a reader's undivided attention or to illustrate emotional or intellectual fixation; characters' eyes may be described as riveted, or moments may be depicted as utterly absorbing, effectively fastening the audience's focus in place [5][6][7][8][9]. Even as a name in narrative or as a symbolic reference to an unyielding bond, the word reinforces the idea of something both constructed and inescapably fixed [10][11][12].
- —How would you find the proper distance the rivet holes should be from the edge of the plate in a boiler seam? II. 353 .
— from Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Joshua Rose - It works upon 8–feet lengths of the tubes, and simultaneously cuts ten rivet holes at different points in the circumference.
— from Discoveries and Inventions of the Nineteenth Century by Robert Routledge - When hammering the rivet open, its head should be placed on a piece of metal (the clamp will do).
— from Toy-Making in School and Home by M. I. R. (Mabel Irene Rutherford) Polkinghorne - Rivet the cup to the base, and then, with the pliers, shape the sides as shown in the photograph.
— from The Boy Mechanic, Volume 1: 700 Things for Boys to Do - When our visitor had disappeared, Sherlock Holmes’s movements were such as to rivet our attention.
— from The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - In one direction only has she forgotten to rivet the perception to the need.
— from Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic by Henri Bergson - She had an attribute which amounted to a disadvantage just now; and it was this that caused Alec d'Urberville's eyes to rivet themselves upon her.
— from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy - At length he returned home and took up a book; but he could not rivet his thoughts to the subject.
— from Black Forest Village Stories by Berthold Auerbach - At every moment, they please by a new consequence and rivet the attention afresh.
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James - Achille Rivet worshiped Louis Philippe, who was to him the "noble representative of the class out of which he constructed his dynasty."
— from Repertory of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A — Z by Cerfberr and Christophe - Mr. Frank Churchill, I must tell you my mother's spectacles have never been in fault since; the rivet never came out again.
— from Emma by Jane Austen - This is Rivet (Mr. C. Mathews), a gentleman who undertakes to procure for an employer anything upon earth he may want, at so much per cent.
— from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass
