·noun A thin nail, usually small, with a slight projection at the top on one side instead of a head; also, a small wire nail, with a flat circular head; sometimes, a small, tapering, square-bodied finishing nail, with a countersunk head.
opened and spread. Lane. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
·- A straight awl with chisel edge, used to make holes for brads, ·etc. ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language