TREENAIL Meaning and
Definition
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A treenail, also known as a trunnel or trenail, is a wooden peg or dowel used in shipbuilding and construction to fasten and secure parts together. Treenails have been an essential component of wooden shipbuilding since ancient times and are still used in traditional boat construction techniques today.
Typically crafted from hardwoods like oak or elm, treenails are cylindrical in shape and often wedge-shaped at one end to facilitate easy insertion into pre-drilled holes. These holes are made in the timbers or planks that need to be attached, and the treenails are then driven through them, thus binding and joining the pieces together. The protruding end is then trimmed and rounded, resulting in a smooth and flush finish.
The purpose of using treenails is to provide a strong and reliable connection that can withstand the stresses and strains experienced by wooden structures, particularly those subjected to the intense forces of seawater. Treenails are advantageous because they can flex slightly with the movement of the wood, allowing for natural expansion and contraction without compromising structural integrity.
Beyond shipbuilding, treenails have found applications in other forms of wooden construction as well, such as timber framing and traditional carpentry. They have stood the test of time as a dependable and durable means of fastening wooden elements together, preserving the integrity and longevity of wooden structures.
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One of the long wooden bolts used in fastening the planks of a ship to the timbers: genealogical or family tree, the drawing or picture of a tree, in which the different divisions of a family are exhibited as the branches, and the relation of each family to the common ancestor, as the trunk or stocl, shown at a glance.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TREENAIL
- rreenail
- freenail
- yreenail
- 6reenail
- 5reenail
- teeenail
- tdeenail
- tfeenail
- tteenail
- t5eenail
- t4eenail
- trwenail
- trsenail
- trdenail
- trrenail
- tr4enail
- tr3enail
- trewnail
- tresnail
Etymology of TREENAIL
The word "treenail" originated in Middle English as "trenail" and derives from the Old English word "trǣnagel". This Old English term is a combination of the elements "trēow" meaning "tree" and "nægel" meaning "nail".
In terms of its usage, a treenail refers to a wooden peg or dowel-like fastener used in joinery, shipbuilding, and other woodworking activities. Treenails were commonly used to hold together the planks of wooden ships, securing them tightly to create a watertight seal.
Similar spelling words for TREENAIL
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