Pin
/pɪn/noun
A small pointed piece of metal used for fastening or attaching things.
Did you know?English pin is ultimately tied to a very old Indo-European root meaning “to prick” or “point,” which is why it sits in the same ancient family as words for spikes, spears, and sharpness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peig-
“to prick, pierce, or be sharp”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*pinnaz
“a pin or peg”
Old English
English
pinn
“a pin, peg, or pointed peg”
Middle English
English
pin
“a pointed fastener, peg, or bolt”
Modern English
English
pin
“a small pointed metal fastener”