n. An instrument consisting of a solid head, usually of metal, but sometimes of wood or of stone, set crosswise to the handle, used for beating metals, driving nails or spikes, dressing or breaking stones, etc.; hence, a machine in which a heavy block of metal is used for such a purpose. See steam-hammer, tilt-hammer, trip-hammer.n. Something which resembles the common hammer in form, action, or use.n. A door-knocker.n. In anatomy, the malleus.n. The head of a sphyrnid or hammer-headed shark.n. Figuratively, an aggressive and destructive foe: as, a hammer of heretics (Latin malleus hœreticorum).n. Same as fylfot.n. A pendent ornament, usually of silver, found among relics of the prehistoric iron age in the north of Europe. It has somewhat the shape of a mallet, and is undoubtedly intended to represent a hammer as weapon or utensil.To beat or drive with or as if with a hammer; pound; beat: as, to hammer iron or steel; to hammer one with the fist.To fasten with a hammer by nailing or otherwise; construct by the use of the hammer.To form or forge with a hammer; shape by beating: often with out.To work upon in the mind; contrive by intellectual labor; excogitate: usually with out: as, to hammer out a scheme.To strike something repeatedly with or as if with a hammer.To work industriously or persistently; be very busy; labor in contrivance: as, to be hammering away at an invention.To be working or in agitation; keep up an excited action or state of feeling.To stammer.n. A yellowhammer or bunting. As used in the following passage the meaning of the word is uncertain. See etymology.n. In athletics, a 16-pound weight (or a 12-pound weight for school-boys), attached by ball-bearing to a wire handle, which competitors, standing in a marked circle, endeavor to throw as far as possible. The old-fashioned hammer had an ordinary stiff wooden handle.To declare (a member) to be in default, after notice by hammering three times on the rostrum.To beat down or depress (price or the market); bear.To make a knocking noise, as a steam-pipe when steam is let on and a water-hammer is produced. See water-hammer, 2.