needle

needle [nēd′'l]

n.

[ME nedle < OE nædl, akin to Ger nadel < IE base * (s)nē-, *(s)nēi-, to sew, spin > SNOOD, L nere, Gr nein, to spin]

1.

a) a small, slender piece of steel with a sharp point at one end and a hole for thread at the other, used for sewing by hand or for surgical sutures

b) a similar implement with a hole for thread near the pointed end, used esp. on sewing machines

2.

a) a slender rod of steel, bone, wood, etc. with a hook at one end, used for crocheting

b) a similar rod, usually larger and without a hook, used in knitting

3. STYLUS (n. 3b)

4. a pointed instrument used in etching or engraving

5.

a) the magnetized pointer of a compass

b) the indicator or pointer of a speedometer or other gauge

6. the thin, short, pointed leaf of such trees as the pine, spruce, etc.

7. NEEDLE VALVE

8.

a) the sharp, very slender metal tube at the end of a hypodermic syringe, that is introduced into the blood vessel, muscle, etc.

☆ b) Informal a hypodermic injection

c) any of various other slender, tubelike devices for inserting, as to inflate or inject

9. ELECTRIC NEEDLE

10. any object roughly resembling a needle or its point in shape, as the sharp point of some crystals, a narrow, pointed rock, an obelisk, spire, etc.

vt.

needled, needling

1. to sew, puncture, etc. with a needle

2. Informal

a) to provoke into doing something; goad; prod

b) to tease or heckle

☆ 3. Slang to strengthen by adding alcohol [to needle beer]

vi.

1. to work with a needle; sew

2. to form needles in crystallization

——————

☆ give someone the needle

Slang to goad or heckle

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☆ on the needle

Slang addicted to narcotics

needlelike

adj.

needler

n.