needle

7 entries found for needle.
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needle[1,noun] needle[2,verb] Adam's needle darning needle devil's darning needle hypodermic needle needle-nose pliers

Main Entry: ¹nee·dle
Pronunciation: 'nE-d^&l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English nedle, from Old English n[AE]dl; akin to Old High German nAdala needle, nAjan to sew, Latin nEre to spin, Greek nEn
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 dial
3 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 /'nE-d^&l-"(l)Ik/ adjective
[needle illustration]