[nee.dle] n [ME nedle, fr. OE naedl; akin to OHG nadala needle, najan to sew, L nere to spin, Gk nen] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a small slender usu. 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 parenterally (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 usu. 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 adj
[2]needle vb nee.dled ; nee.dling vt (ca. 1715) 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" ~ vi: sew, embroider -- nee.dler n