nee·dle  (n ēd l)
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n.1. a. A slender, pointed implement used for sewing or surgical suturing, made usually of polished steel and having an eye at one end through which a length of thread is passed and held. b. Any of various similar implements, such as a fine sharp-pointed instrument used in acupuncture or a pointed shaft used in knitting, crocheting, or lace making. c. A sharp-pointed instrument used in engraving. 2. A slender piece of jewel or steel used to transmit vibrations from the grooves of a phonograph record. 3. a. A slender pointer or indicator on a dial, scale, or similar part of a mechanical device. b. A magnetic needle. 4. a. A hypodermic needle. b. Informal A hypodermic injection; a shot. 6. A narrow stiff leaf, as of a pine or fir. 7. A fine, sharp projection, as a spine of a sea urchin or a crystal. 8. a. A tall narrow rock formation. b. An obelisk. 9. Informal A goading, provoking, or teasing remark or act. v. nee·dled, nee·dling, nee·dles v.tr.1. To prick, pierce, or stitch with a needle. 2. Informal To goad, provoke, or tease. v.intr. To sew or do similar work with a needle.
needler n.  (click for a larger image) needleleft to right: sailmaking, sewing machine, and tapestry needles bottom right: spring needle |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:
Indo-European Roots
Semitic Roots
The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.
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