Hammer | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Hām'mer, n.

noun

[A-S., D., & M. H. Ger. hamer, O. H. Ger. & Icel. hamar, N. H. Ger. & Dan. hammer, - Sw. hammare.]

Sense 1. An instrument for driving nails, beating metals, and the like, consisting of a head, usually metallic, fixed crosswise to a handle.

The armorers With busy hammers closing rivets up. Shak.

Sense 2. Something which in form or action resembles the common hammer; as, (a.) The part of a clock which strikes upon the bell to indicate the hour. (b.) That part of the arrangements of a piano which strikes the wires, to produce the tones. (c.) (Amat.) The malleus, or outermost of the four small bones of the ear. (d.) (Gun.) A piece of steel covering the pan of a flint-lock musket, which being struck by the flint, a spark was produced to ignite the priming; also, that part of a percussion-lock which strikes the cap or primer.

Hăm'mer, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. HAMMERED; p. pr. & vb. n. HAMMERING.]

To beat with a hammer; as, to hammer iron or steel.
To form or forge with a hammer; to shape by beating. “Hammered money.” Dryden.
To work in the mind: to contrive by intellectual labor;—usually with out. “Who was hammering out a penny dialogue.” Jeffrey.

Hām'mer, v. i.

verbintransitive

Sense 1. To be busy; to labor in contrivance. “Who but to-day hammered of this design.” Shak.

Sense 2. To be working or in agitation.

Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. Shak.