Main Entry:

¹nee·dle

Pronunciation:

\ˈnē-d^əl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English nedle, from Old English nǣdl; akin to Old High German nādala needle, nājan to sew, Latin nēre to spin, Greek nēn

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a small slender usually steel instrument that has an eye for thread or surgical sutures at one end and that is used for sewing b: any of various devices for carrying thread and making stitches (as in crocheting or knitting) c (1): a slender hollow instrument for introducing material into or removing material from the body (as by insertion under the skin) (2): any of various slender hollow devices used to introduce matter (as air) into or remove it from an object (as a ball)2 a: a slender bar of magnetized steel that when allowed to turn freely (as in a compass) indicates the direction of a magnetic field (as of the earth) b: a slender usually sharp-pointed indicator on a dialect3 a: a slender pointed object resembling a needle: as (1): a pointed crystal (2): a sharp rock (3): obelisk b: a needle-shaped leaf (as of a conifer) c: a slender rod (as of jewel or steel) with a rounded tip used in a phonograph to transmit vibrations from a record : stylus d: a slender pointed rod controlling a fine inlet or outlet (as in a valve)4: a teasing or gibing remark

— nee·dle·like \ˈnē-d^əl-ˌ(l)īk\ adjective

[needle illustration]