- doornail
- noun Date: 14th century a large-headed nail — used chiefly in the phrase dead as a doornail
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
doornail
Look at other dictionaries:
Doornail — Door nail (d[=o]r n[=a]l ), n. The nail or knob on which in ancient doors the knocker struck; hence the old saying, As dead as a doornail. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
doornail — ► NOUN (in phrase dead as a doornail) ▪ quite dead … English terms dictionary
doornail — [dôr′nāl΄] n. a large headed nail used to decorate or strengthen some doors dead as a doornail dead beyond a doubt … English World dictionary
doornail — /dawr nayl , dohr /, n. 1. a large headed nail formerly used for strengthening or ornamenting doors. 2. dead as a doornail, stone dead: After midnight, the town is dead as a doornail. [1300 50; ME dornail. See DOOR, NAIL] * * * … Universalium
doornail — n. (misc.) as dead as a doornail * * * (misc.) as dead as a doornail … Combinatory dictionary
doornail — door|nail [ dɔr,neıl ] noun (as) dead as a doornail INFORMAL completely dead: The plants are all dead as a doornail … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
doornail — UK [ˈdɔː(r)ˌneɪl] / US [ˈdɔrˌneɪl] noun (as) dead as a doornail informal completely dead The plants are all dead as a doornail … English dictionary
doornail — noun A nail with a wide head, traditionally used in the construction and ornamentation of wooden doors. See Also: dead as a doornail … Wiktionary
doornail — door|nail [ˈdo:neıl US ˈdo:r ] n (as) dead as a doornail informal completely dead … Dictionary of contemporary English
doornail — noun a stud in a door. Phrases (as) dead as a doornail dead (used for emphasis) … English new terms dictionary
