The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Rivet \Riv"et\, n. [F., fr. river to rivet; perh. fr. Icel. rifa
   to fasten together. Cf. Reef part of a sail.]
   A metallic pin with a head, used for uniting two plates or
   pieces of material together, by passing it through them and
   then beating or pressing down the point so that it shall
   spread out and form a second head; a pin or bolt headed or
   clinched at both ends.
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         With busy hammers closing rivets up. --Shak.
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   Rivet joint, or Riveted joint, a joint between two or
      more pieces secured by rivets.
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