riveting

The word "riveting" originates from the mechanical process of fastening materials together using a rivet, a permanent mechanical fastener. The core verb "to rivet" means to join or fix firmly in place. By the early 19th century, this literal sense began to be used figuratively to describe anything that seizes or holds one's attention as firmly as a rivet holds metal. Thus, the modern abstract meaning of "completely engrossing" evolved from the concept of being firmly fastened, both physically and metaphorically, to an object or subject of interest.

Structure: rivet (to fasten) + ing (adjective suffix) - rivet: From Old French rivet (a clinch bolt, nail), from river (to clinch, fasten). The ultimate origin is uncertain but may be from a Germanic source related to fixing or attaching. - ing: A suffix forming present participles of verbs, which are commonly used as adjectives in English, from Old English -ende.