Nail

(nāl.) [From A. S. nægel.] (Physiol.) A horny excrescence growing at the end of the fingers and toes of men and animals. When nails are compre ed, curved, pointed, and extended beyond the digit, they are called talons or claws. When they encase the extremity of the digit like a box, they are called hoofs. The substance of the nail is that of the skin, hardened, but firmly connected with it; for this reason, it is extremely sensible at its root, where it is yet tender; but at the apex, where it is perfectly hardened, it is capable of being cut without pain.-(Manuf.) A small spike of iron or other metal, generally with a square or round head, formed for driving into, and fastening together, boards, pieces of timber, . There are numerous kinds of nails, adapted for various purposes. Formerly made by hand alone, N. are now turned out in immense quantities by machinery specially devised for the proce . The first machine for cutting nails was invented in New York, 1794. The first cutting-and heading-machine was invented in Pennsylvania, 1796. [s. 629]