I. ˈnē-d ə l noun
Etymology: Middle English nedle, from Old English nǣdl; akin to Old High German nādala needle, nājan to sew, Latin nēre to spin, Greek nēn
Date: before 12th century
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 ə l-ˌ(l)īk adjective
[
needle 1: 1 suture, 2 sewing, 3 knitting
]
II. verb
( nee·dled ; nee·dling ˈnēd-liŋ, ˈnē-d ə l-iŋ)
Date: circa 1715
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 ə l-ər noun