clavos

Clavos is a Spanish term that can refer to two distinct categories depending on context: nails used as hardware fasteners and cloves, the dried flower buds of a tropical tree used as a spice. The two senses are etymologically unrelated but commonly appear in the same plural form, clavos, in everyday language.

Nails are slender metal fasteners with a head and pointed tip, driven into materials to hold them together. They are made from steel most commonly, with stainless steel, brass, or copper as alternatives. Galvanized or coated nails resist corrosion for outdoor or damp applications. Common types include the basic common nail for framing, finishing nails for trim work, and roofing or deck nails designed for weather resistance. Sizes vary by length and thickness, and installation is done with a hammer or a nail gun. The choice of nail depends on material, load, and environmental conditions, and improper use can split wood or fail under stress.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum, native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. Whole cloves impart a warm, sweet-spicy aroma and are often used in cooking and baking; ground cloves provide a stronger, more pungent flavor. They feature in many regional cuisines, including Indian, Middle Eastern, and European traditions, as components of spice blends, marinades, desserts, and beverages such as mulled wine. Cloves also yield an essential oil rich in eugenol, which has applications in perfumery, flavoring, and dentistry as a local anesthetic. For best aroma, cloves should be stored in a cool, dry, airtight container away from light. In Spanish usage, clavos can denote either nails or cloves, with meaning clarified by context.