[neɪl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a small metal spike with a broadened flat head, driven into wood to join things together or to serve as a hook
(e.g: don't try and hammer nails into the ceiling joists)

- a horny covering on the upper surface of the tip of the finger and toe in humans and other primates
(e.g: she began to bite her nails)

- a medieval measure of length for cloth, equal to 21/4 inches

- a medieval measure of wool, beef, or other commodity, roughly equal to 7 or 8 pounds


Phrases:
- a nail in the coffin of
- as hard as nails
- as tough as nails
- on the nail

Origin:
Old English nægel (noun), næglan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch nagel and German Nagel, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin unguis and Greek onux

[neɪl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- fasten with a nail or nails
(e.g: the strips are simply nailed to the roof)

- detect or catch (someone, especially a suspected criminal)
(e.g: have you nailed the killer?)

- (of a player) strike (a ball) forcefully and successfully
(e.g: she was stretched to the limit and failed to nail the smash)

- perform (an action or task) perfectly
(e.g: she absolutely nailed the high notes)

- (of a man) have sex with (someone)


Phrases:
- a nail in the coffin of
- as hard as nails
- as tough as nails
- on the nail

Origin:
Old English nægel (noun), næglan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch nagel and German Nagel, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin unguis and Greek onux