PIN

A small bit of wire, usually bra , with a point at one end and a spherical head at the other. No fewer than fourteen distinct operations are nece ary in making this little article; for an account of which see Ure's Diet, of Arts, S(c. There is a good account of this manufacture in Babbage's Economy of Manufactures. See also Wealth of Nations, p. 3.; where the pin is cited as an admirable instance of the good effects of a division of labour. Pin. a term of Chinese diplomacy, signifying a petition or addre from foreigners to the emperor of China or any of his viceroys or deputies. [s. 942]