(~s, needling, ~d)
1.
A ~ is a small, very thin piece of polished metal which is used for sewing. It has a sharp point at one end and a hole in the other for a thread to go through.
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2.
Knitting ~s are thin sticks that are used for knitting. They are usually made of plastic or metal and have a point at one end.
N-COUNT: usu supp N
3.
A ~ is a thin hollow metal rod with a sharp point, which is part of a medical instrument called a syringe. It is used to put a drug into someone’s body, or to take blood out.
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4.
A ~ is a thin metal rod with a point which is put into a patient’s body during acupuncture.
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5.
On an instrument which measures something such as speed or weight, the ~ is the long strip of metal or plastic on the dial that moves backwards and forwards, showing the measurement.
She kept looking at the dial on the boiler. The ~ had reached 250 degrees.
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6.
The ~s of a fir or pine tree are its thin, hard, pointed leaves.
The carpet of pine ~s was soft underfoot.
N-COUNT: usu pl
7.
If someone ~s you, they annoy you continually, especially by criticizing you.
Blake could see he had ~d Jerrold, which might be unwise.
VERB: V n
8.
like looking for a ~ in a haystack: see haystack
see also pins and ~s