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needle

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Needle is defined as a thin and sharp piece of metal used in sewing, used to give injections, and used in a variety of other situations where a thin and sharp piece of metal is pointed on one end.

(noun)

A thin, sharp piece of metal with an eye on the end that thread goes through and that is used for sewing is an example of a needle.
A thin, sharp piece of metal attached to a syringe and used to give an injection is an example of a needle.
A thin, sharp piece of metal used in knitting is an example of a needle.
A thin, metal pointer on a compass is an example of a needle.

The definition of needle is to annoy someone by nagging or criticizing, or to pierce something as if pricked by a long thin piece of metal.

(verb)

If you constantly nag and bother your friend, this is an example of when you needle your friend.
If a little speck of dirt feels like it is cutting your eye, this is an example of when it needles your eye.

See needle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
stylus ()
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
the thin, short, pointed leaf of such trees as the pine, spruce, etc.
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
electric needle
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.

Origin: 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 needled, needling

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

intransitive verb

to work with a needle; sew
to form needles in crystallization

Related Forms:

needlelike adjective
needler noun

See needle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A small, slender 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 one of various other implements, such as one used in knitting or crocheting.
A slender piece of jewel or steel used to transmit vibrations from the grooves of a phonograph record.
a. A slender pointer or indicator on a dial, scale, or similar part of a mechanical device.
b. A magnetic needle.
a. A hypodermic needle.
b. Informal A hypodermic injection; a shot.
Chiefly Upper Northern U.S. See dragonfly. See Regional Note at dragonfly.
A narrow stiff leaf, as those of conifers.
A fine, sharp projection, as a spine of a sea urchin or a crystal.
A sharp-pointed instrument used in engraving.
Informal A goading, provoking, or teasing remark or act.