toenails

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of toenail.

   The hikers' toenails turned black after the long descent.

   Fungal infections can leave toenails thick and discolored.

   Note

   A perfectly regular plural, but its spelling does double duty: the same word is also the carpenter's verb form, as in "she toenails the studs." Context sorts them at once. As a noun it follows a possessive or an adjective (the hikers' toenails, thick toenails). As a verb it follows a singular subject and takes an object.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of toenail.

   The carpenter toenails each joist to the beam to lock it in position.

   She toenails the studs at an angle so the wall holds together without brackets.

   Note

   Carpentry gives this form its meaning: to toenail is to drive nails or screws at an angle through one board and into another. The verb is transitive, so it wants an object, as in "he toenails the joist" rather than just "he toenails." It agrees only with a singular subject (she toenails, they toenail). Its spelling matches the plural noun.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2