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Glite Dictionary
hex nut

hex nut

3.6
A small metal piece with six flat sides that screws onto a bolt to hold things together
  • noun
  • /hɛks nʌt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tuerca hexagonal
  • The lots of hex-head cap screws were wedge-tensile tested, and each lot of hex nuts was proof-load tested in accordance with ASTM F606.
  • test hex nut

Examples

  • To secure the metal plate to the frame, use a hex nut to fasten the bolt tightly.

  • The commercial hex nut lots were tested for proof load, and all passed the standard 33,900-pound requirement.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The commercial hex nut and bolt tested with the poorest-fit combination of pitch-diameter sizes still passed the standard tensile and proof load requirements.

    Academic text (1996)

  • When assembling furniture, don't forget to add a hex nut to ensure the legs are sturdy.

  • The mechanic replaced the damaged bolt with a new one, securing it with a hex nut.

Synonyms

nut
vshex nut
63 4.4

A small metal piece with a screw hole that fits on a bolt

is the specifically six sided form rather than a general square or other shape

Surface Forms

hex nut singular
hex nuts plural

Morphology

hex + nut

The compound is directly compositional: 'hex' denotes six/hexagonal and 'nut' denotes a threaded fastener, so 'hex nut' straightforwardly means a six-sided nut. This follows regular English compounding patterns for technical objects, so a learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the correct meaning.

Etymology

Hex nut comes from the name and the shape: hex means 'six' and the nut is a small metal piece you screw onto a bolt. Because it has six flat sides a wrench can easily hold and 'turn' it, so the name reminds you it is a six-sided nut used to hold things tight.