Hammer

ham′ėr, n. a tool for beating metal or driving nails: a striking-piece in the mechanism of a clock or piano: that part of the lock of a firearm which falls with a sharp blow and causes the discharge of the piece: the baton of an auctioneer, a knock from which signifies that an article is sold: a small bone of the ear, the malleus.— v.t. to drive, shape, or fashion with a hammer: to contrive by intellectual labour, to excogitate (with out ): to declare (a person) a defaulter on the Stock Exchange: to beat down the price of (a stock), to depre (a market).— ns. Hamm′er-beam , a horizontal piece of timber in place of a tie-beam at or near the feet of a pair of rafters; Hamm′erhead , Hamm′er-fish , a rapacious fish of the shark family—from the shape of its head.— adj. Hamm′erheaded , with a head shaped like a hammer: dull in intellect, stupid.— n. Hamm′ering , a dented, appearance on silverware effected by succe ive blows of a hammer.— adj. Hamm′erle , without a hammer—of a gun.— n. Hamm′erm an , a man who hammers, as a blacksmith, goldsmith, .— Hammer-and-tongs , with great noise and vigour, violently.— Bring to the hammer , to sell, or cause to sell, by auction; Up to the hammer , first-rate. [A.S. ham or ; Ger. hammer , Ice. hamarr .]