pin
UK[pɪn]US[pɪn]
n
A short, thin piece of stiff metal with a sharp point and a round head, used for fastening pieces of cloth, paper, etc.
n
A thin piece of metal used for fastening broken bones, holding things together, or as part of a machine.
v
To attach or fasten something with a pin or pins.
v
To hold someone firmly so they cannot move.
Etymology
The word 'pin' traces a direct lineage from the Proto-Indo-European root peuk-, meaning "to prick." This concept passed into Latin as pinnus, signifying a sharp point or peg. Borrowed into Old French as pin, it entered Middle English with its core meaning intact. Over centuries, the word's application expanded from a simple sharp fastener to encompass various functional and metaphorical uses, such as a surgical implement or the act of immobilizing someone, all preserving the essential idea of a pointed instrument for fixing or securing.
Analysis
This word is a simplex. It is a loanword from Old French pin, which derived from Latin pinnus meaning "sharp point" or "peg," itself likely from a Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples
She used a pin to attach the note to the bulletin board.
The surgeon inserted a metal pin to stabilize the fracture.
The police officer pinned the suspect against the wall.