A fastener is a human-made concept designating the category of mechanical devices engineered to join or secure two or more objects together. Its parameters: (1) a physical component or system that creates a non-permanent or semi-permanent connection, (2) a specified class of forms (bolts, screws, rivets, clips, ties) defined by their engagement mechanism rather than by material, (3) a functional boundary distinguishing joining from welding or adhesive bonding — fasteners enable disassembly. The persistence mechanism is standardization through engineering specifications, trade catalogs, and educational curricula that transmit the concept across technical practice. [formal: alligatio | substrate: matter | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
fastener
A fastener is a human-made concept designating the category of mechanical devices engineered to join or secure two or more objects together. Its parameters: (1) a physical component or system that creates a non-permanent or semi-permanent…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made concept: a class of mechanical devices or components designed to join or secure objects together. Built to persist as a technical category across engineering, construction, and everyday craft through standardized forms and principles.
Names and aliases
- fasteneren · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmr98h9fl008khcxfwebiv8rnINSTANCE_OF →
A fastener (bolt, nail, rivet, clip) IS a specific kind of tool — an artifact that extends human capacity to join materials. Per Law 9: specific→general. A competent speaker calls a fastener 'a tool.' Note: Law 11c diminishing applies to tool as heavy target, but edge is true.
Relations to this entry
- cmsocztyc0196jlssocnflvvr← INSTANCE_OF
A clamp IS a specific kind of fastener — a device that holds objects together by pressure. Per Law 9: specific→general. Files against nearest kind, since fastener is more specific than tool. Dir test: clamp is a kind of fastener, not the reverse.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 11, 2026, 9:53 AM UTC
- Content hash
- ec7ed1d34878c66a8360db6d04edf36f8fdd26c2b54d85fab22aad747e66ead0