noun
rivet; tack; thumbtack; drawing pin; hobnail
Refers to various small metal fasteners: rivets for permanent joining, tacks/thumbtacks for pinning, and hobnails for shoe soles. Context distinguishes the specific type.
この金属板は鋲で留めてある。
These metal plates are fastened with rivets.
掲示板に画鋲でポスターを留めた。
I pinned the poster to the bulletin board with a thumbtack.
The kanji 鋲 is a kokuji (Japanese-created character) combining 金 (metal) and 兵 (soldier/weapon), suggesting a metal fastener. The reading びょう is likely derived from the on'yomi of 兵 (へい/ひょう) with sound change.