¹needle

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noun nee·dle \ˈnē-d^əl\

: a small, very thin object that is used in sewing and that has a sharp point at one end and a hole for thread

: one of the two long, thin sticks that are used in knitting and that are pointed at one end

: a very thin, pointed steel tube that is pushed through the skin so that something (such as a drug) can be put into your body or so that blood or other fluids can be taken from it

Full Definition of NEEDLE

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 \ˈnē-d^əl-ˌ(l)īk\ adjective

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Examples of NEEDLE

1. I need a needle and thread to sew the button on your shirt.
2. The needle on the scale points to 9 grams.
3. The compass needle points north.

Illustration of NEEDLE

Origin of NEEDLE

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to NEEDLE

Synonyms

hype [slang], hypodermic, hypodermic needle, hypodermic syringe, syringe

Related Words

dial, face, gauge (also gage)

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

Rhymes with NEEDLE

aedile, beadle, creedal, daedal, wheedle

²needle

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verb

: to criticize and laugh at (someone) in either a friendly or an unkind way

nee·dlednee·dling \ˈnēd-liŋ, ˈnē-d^əl-iŋ\

Full Definition of NEEDLE

transitive verb

1

:  to sew or pierce with or as if with a needle

2

a :  tease, torment

b :  to incite to action by repeated gibes <needled the boy into a fight>

intransitive verb

:  sew, embroider

— nee·dler \ˈnēd-lər, ˈnē-d^əl-ər\ noun

Examples of NEEDLE

1. His classmates needled him about his new haircut.
2. <we needled him mercilessly for thinking that he had any chance of being the prom date for the school's most popular girl>

First Known Use of NEEDLE

circa 1715

Related to NEEDLE

Synonyms

bait, hassle, haze, heckle, tease, ride, taunt

Related Words

deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, ridicule; annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, fret, frost, gall, get, gnaw (at), grate, gripe, hack (off), hagride, irk, irritate, itch, nag, nark [British], nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, trouble, vex; aggravate, exasperate, goad, test, try; aggrieve, agitate, bedevil, beleaguer, discomfort, disturb, perturb; badger, dog, hound; browbeat, bully, hector; harass, harry, persecute, plague, terrorize, torment, torture

Near Antonyms

compliment; commend, laud, praise, recommend, tout; acclaim, applaud, build up, eulogize, extol (also extoll)

Rhymes with NEEDLE

creedal