pin

noun

1》 a thin piece of metal with a sharp point at one end and a round head at the other, used for fastening pieces of cloth, paper, etc.

    ↘a small brooch or badge.

    ↘Medicine a steel rod used to join the ends of fractured bones while they heal.

2》 a metal peg that holds down the activating lever of a hand grenade, preventing its explosion.

3》 a metal projection from a plug or an integrated circuit which makes an electrical connection with a socket or another part of a circuit.

4》 Golf a stick with a flag placed in a hole to mark its position.

5》 a skittle in bowling.

6》 (pins) informal legs.

7》 Chess an attack on a piece or pawn which is thereby pinned.

8》 Brit. historical a half-firkin cask for beer.

verb (pins, pinning, pinned)

1》 attach or fasten with a pin or pins.

    ↘(pin something on) fix blame or responsibility on.

2》 hold someone firmly so they are unable to move.

    ↘(pin someone down) restrict the actions of an enemy by firing at them.

    ↘(pin someone down) force someone to be specific about their intentions.

3》 Chess hinder or prevent (a piece or pawn) from moving because of the danger to a more valuable piece standing behind it.

Phrases

pin one's ears back listen carefully.

pin one's hopes (or faith) on rely heavily on.

Origin

OE pinn, of W. Gmc origin, from L. pinna 'point, tip, edge'.