nails

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of nail. Use it when talking about more than one nail.

   He bought a box of nails to fix the fence.

   She painted her nails bright red for the party.

   Note
2. 2
   verb

   The form of nail used in the present with he, she, it, or a singular noun such as the dog or water.

   He nails the boards to the wall before lunch.

   She nails every difficult question in class.

   Note
3. 3
   adjectiveslangUKabbreviationellipsis

   Short form of hard as nails. Used to say someone is very tough.

   Our gran is proper nails and never cries.

   You need to be nails to survive that job.

   Note
4. 4
   noun

   Four short metal posts outside Bristol's Corn Exchange where traders once made deals.

   Like a counter where people once shook hands to agree on a price.

   The merchants met by the nails to seal the wheat sale with a handshake.

   He counted out the coins on the nails, and the deal was done.

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