needle Hear it!

needle Definition

nee·dle (nēd′'l)

noun

    1. 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
    2. a similar implement with a hole for thread near the pointed end, used esp. on sewing machines
    1. a slender rod of steel, bone, wood, etc. with a hook at one end, used for crocheting
    2. a similar rod, usually larger and without a hook, used in knitting
  3. stylus ()
  4. a pointed instrument used in etching or engraving
    1. the magnetized pointer of a compass
    2. 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
    1. the sharp, very slender metal tube at the end of a hypodermic syringe, that is introduced into the blood vessel, muscle, etc.
    2. ☆ Informal a hypodermic injection
    3. 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.

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

transitive verb -·dled, -·dling

  1. to sew, puncture, etc. with a needle
  2. Informal
    1. to provoke into doing something; goad; prod
    2. to tease or heckle
  3. ☆ Slang to strengthen by adding alcohol to needle beer

intransitive verb

  1. to work with a needle; sew
  2. to form needles in crystallization

needle Related Forms

nee′dle·like′ adjective nee′·dler noun

needle Idioms

give someone the needle

☆

Slang to goad or heckle

on the needle

☆

Slang addicted to narcotics

needle Synonyms

needle

n.

  1. Sewing instrument

    awl, spike, skewer, pin, darner.

    Varieties and sizes of needles include: sewing, sewing-machine, straight, tacking, darning, upholsterer's, shoemaker's, sail-maker's, surgical, knitting, crochet, straw, long-eyed sharp, sharp, ground-down, between, blunt, embroidery, crewel.

  2. Sharp, pointed wirelike instrument

    hypodermic, hypodermic needle, syringe, phonograph needle, stylus, electric needle, electrolytic needle, probe.

  3. A pointing instrument

    gauge, indicator, director; see pointer 1.

needle Synonyms

needle

v.

quiz, question, nag; see bother 2, 3, examine 1, 2.

needle Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • knit: I use a shoe box with knitting needles inserted the length of the box.
  • insert: Insert the needle into the right hand side of the graft from outside in, 5mm from the graft edge.
  • discard: You can see the blood stains near Annie's flat; another tenant in the block was pierced by one of the discarded needles.

Noun used with modifier

  • darning: Nemesis, in the shape of Bertie's darning needle, marked him for her own.
  • pine: JACK: Well, I see it still smells like pine needles in here.
  • compass: The needles run over Betty's body have their obvious source in the compass needle run over the car.
  • sewing: The hole was made with a fine sewing needle.
  • acupuncture: Acupuncture needles are put in the body at key points.
  • veress: The most popular measure used to ensure that the Veress needle is lying in free intraperitoneal space is the saline drop test.

Adjective modifier

  • hypodermic: Among the debris were things like hypodermic needles, which in an area where children play is totally unacceptable.
  • 4.5mm: Vent Bands With 4.5mm needles, right side facing and A, pick up and knit 24 sts from left side at back.
  • sterile: Minimal needling was done using 0.25 by 30mm sterile disposable needles.
  • 4mm: The polo neck also needs a 4mm 60cm circular needle.
  • hollow: Lumbar Puncture A thin hollow needle is placed into the lower back, into the spinal canal.
  • epidural: During the procedure, an epidural needle is inserted near the base of the spine.

Modifies a noun

  • biopsy: In most cases, a needle biopsy will be taken for microscopic examination.
  • gunning: Since then a lot of needle gunning of newly accessible surfaces has taken place but there is plenty more in prospect!
  • cytology: Fine needle aspiration cytology: this test involves pushing a small needle into the lump at sucking out some cells with a syringe.
  • phobia: Drink Drive: Addressing needle phobia of suspected drink-drivers.

Preposition: in

haystack: We haven't been able to find any nests yet; its like finding a needle in a haystack.

Browse dictionary entries near needle

  1. ‹ neediness
  2. ‹ needful
  3. ‹ needed
  4. ‹ need to
  5. ‹ need
  6. ‹ nee
  7. ‹ Nederland
  8. ‹ Ned
  9. ‹ nectary
  10. ‹ nectarine
  1. needle valve ›
  2. needlefish ›
  3. needlepoint ›
  4. needless ›
  5. needlewoman ›
  6. needlework ›
  7. needn't ›
  8. needs ›
  9. needy ›
  10. neem ›