Skip to content
ontologydriven
Sign out

Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

needle en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • [ˈnɪi̯.dəl] ~ [ˈnɪi̯.dl̩]
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈniː.dəl/
  • (US) audio
  • (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-trom Proto-Indo-European *-tlom Proto-Indo-European *(s)néh₁tlom Proto-Germanic *nēþlą Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Germanic *-ō Proto-Germanic *nēþlō Proto-West Germanic *nāþlu Old English nǣdl Middle English nedle English needle From Middle English nedle, from Old English nǣdl, from Proto-West Germanic *nāþlu, from Proto-Germanic *nēþlō, from pre-Germanic *neh₁-tleh₂, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁- (“to spin, twist”). Cognates Cognate with Saterland Frisian Näddele (“sewing needle”), Dutch naald (“needle”), German Nadel (“needle, pin, crochet hook”), nähen (“sew”), Luxembourgish Nol (“needle”), Vilamovian nöłd (“needle”), Yiddish נאָדל (nodl, “needle, pin”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, Swedish nål (“needle”), Elfdalian ną̊l (“needle”), Faroese, Icelandic nál (“needle”), Gothic 𐌽𐌴𐌸𐌻𐌰 (nēþla, “sewing needle”), Finnish neula (“needle”). Further related with Welsh nyddu, Latin nēre, Sanskrit स्नायति (snāyati, “wraps up, winds”). Related to snood.

Meanings

  1. A long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing as in sewing, embroidery, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections, sutures, etc; or a blunt but otherwise similar implement used for forming loops or knots in crafts such as darning, knitting, tatting, etc.
    • The seamstress threaded the needle to sew on a button.
    • single-use needles
    • reusable needles
  2. Any slender, pointed object resembling a needle, such as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc.
  3. A fine measurement indicator on a dial or graph.
    • "[…] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work." 2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30:
    • The needle on the fuel gauge pointed to empty.
    • a compass needle
  4. (informal) A sensor for playing phonograph records, a phonograph stylus.
    • Ziggy bought some diamond needles for his hi-fi phonograph.
  5. A needle-like leaf found on some conifers.
    • At the very moment he cried out, David realised that what he had run into was only the Christmas tree. Disgusted with himself at such cowardice, he spat a needle from his mouth. 1994, Stephen Fry, chapter 2, in The Hippopotamus:
  6. A strong beam resting on props, used as a temporary support during building repairs.
  7. (informal, qualifier:usually preceded by the) The death penalty carried out by lethal injection.
  8. A text string that is searched for within another string. (see: needle in a haystack)
    • Both of these functions will look through the haystack for the specified needle and, if they find it, will return the portion of the string from the beginning of the needle to the end of the haystack. 2010, Peter MacIntyre, PHP: The Good Parts, page 39:
  9. Any of various species of damselfly of the genus Synlestes, endemic to Australia.
  10. A move in which the performer begins with two hands and one leg on the floor, then kicks the other leg into a full split.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
needles Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

needle scratch · needle phobia · nanoneedle · needle-sharp · needleworking · needle-nose gar · needle beer · needle bush · needlenose · bioneedle · needlepunch · needleproof · needleful · needlelike · needle bar · devil's darning needle · needle-tailed swift · dip of the needle · needle ice · needle tower · needleman · touch-needle · Eve's needle · needlefish · cop the needle · needle lace · needle-in-the-eye syndrome · needle sharer · needlet · needlestick · Spanish needles · needle girl · pins and needles · needle match · needlegrass · needlecraft · needletail · needle trade · silver needle noodle · needlebush · needlestone · needletrade · needle-clawed bushbaby · needle gun · needle-work · on the needle · camel through the eye of a needle · needlenose pliers · needle holder · needle mover · needle park · needleleaf · needle-and-thread grass · knight of the needle · sea needle · netting-needle · needlewood · needle in a haystack · needle sharing · needle-moving · needlecase · needle palm · needle dick · microneedle · budge the needle · needlecord · lodgepole needle miner · needle telegraph · packing-needle · needlewise · needlefelt · needle wire · needle drop · shepherd's needle · stick a needle in my eye · move the needle · needlebook · needle ore · needler · needle threader · needlelace · needle-shaped · Buffon's needle problem · needle talk · needle-mover · larding-needle · on pins and needles · peg the needle · Adam's needle · needle valve · fine-needle aspiration · needledom · thread the needle · multineedle · needlepoint · needlework · cryoneedle · needlestack · needle bearing · thread needle · it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God · Needle Galaxy · needle loom · needle exchange · roweling-needle · needlewoman · needle-girl · needle shell · needle spar · needly · needle time · devil's needle · needle furze · needlemaker · needlemaking · needle sickness · needle beam · needleworked · needleless · needle aspiration biopsy · butterfly needle

Hyponyms

packing needle · pine needle · compass needle · double-pointed needle · dining needle · sewing needle · bore needle · fissure needle · hypodermic needle · fashioning needle · knitting needle · quilting needle · darning needle · cable needle · dipping needle · ice needle · intraosseous needle · circular needle · larding needle

Relateds

eye · pin · acerate · acicular

Synonyms

neele

Translations (451)

is nál (implement for sewing etc.) · gl arume (leaf of conifer) · ja 針葉 (leaf of conifer) · mk игла (leaf of conifer) · ha allura (implement for sewing etc.) · bo ཁབ (implement for sewing etc.) · lki دەرزەن (implement for sewing etc.) · zh 針 /针 (implement for sewing etc.) · tet daun (implement for sewing etc.) · bn ছুঁচ (implement for sewing etc.) · fa سوزَن (implement for sewing etc.) · nrf aigùule (implement for sewing etc.) · ba энә (sensor phonograph stylus) · sq halë (leaf of conifer) · vo nad (implement for sewing etc.) · akz chofisɬopòoli (implement for sewing etc.) · sa सूची (implement for sewing etc.) · is nál (indicating device) · pcc jiml (implement for sewing etc.) · sc àcu (implement for sewing etc.) · goh nādala (implement for sewing etc.) · bg стрелка́ (indicating device) · cjm jarum (implement for sewing etc.) · sk ručička (indicating device) · pt ponteiro (indicating device) · vec guxela (implement for sewing etc.) · mnc ᡠᠯᠮᡝ (implement for sewing etc.) · he מַחַט (sensor phonograph stylus) · egl agåccia (implement for sewing etc.) · kn ಸೂಜಿ (implement for sewing etc.) · be іго́лка (leaf of conifer) · mt labra (implement for sewing etc.) · ivb dayem (implement for sewing etc.) · akl dagom (implement for sewing etc.) · nrf aidgulle (implement for sewing etc.) · cy gweyllen (implement for sewing etc.) · sah иннэ (implement for sewing etc.) · tt энә (implement for sewing etc.) · alt ийне (implement for sewing etc.) · oc agulha (implement for sewing etc.) · bcl dagom (implement for sewing etc.) · km ម្ជុល (implement for sewing etc.) · sh ѝгла (sensor phonograph stylus) · lt adata (implement for sewing etc.) · mdf салмокс (implement for sewing etc.) · es yawri (implement for sewing etc.) · ext aúja (implement for sewing etc.) · sh ка̀за̄љка (indicating device) · rgn eg (implement for sewing etc.) · oc agulha (sensor phonograph stylus) · sh ìglica (leaf of conifer) · la acus (implement for sewing etc.) · goh nādala (sensor phonograph stylus) · dsb gła (implement for sewing etc.) · pa ਸੂਈ (implement for sewing etc.) · krc ийне (implement for sewing etc.) · eo nadlo (sensor phonograph stylus) · rif iseyni (implement for sewing etc.) · fur gusiele (implement for sewing etc.) · pl drut (implement for sewing etc.) · bg игли́чка (leaf of conifer) · uli did (implement for sewing etc.) · sw sindano (sensor phonograph stylus) · om lilimmoo (implement for sewing etc.) · am መርፌ (implement for sewing etc.) · nb barnål (leaf of conifer) · la folium (leaf of conifer) · oc agulha (indicating device) · itl сыс (implement for sewing etc.) · cbk aguja (implement for sewing etc.) · sv nål (sensor phonograph stylus) · ar مِخْيَط (implement for sewing etc.) · sk ihla (sensor phonograph stylus) · ro ac (leaf of conifer) · sv synål (implement for sewing etc.) · uk дро́тик (implement for sewing etc.) · got 𐌽𐌴𐌸𐌻𐌰 (implement for sewing etc.) · ur سوزَن (implement for sewing etc.) · es yauri (implement for sewing etc.) · fax agulla (implement for sewing etc.) · sas jarum (implement for sewing etc.) · br nadoz (implement for sewing etc.) · pap angua (implement for sewing etc.) · eu orratz (implement for sewing etc.) · za caemz (implement for sewing etc.) · shn ၶဵမ် (implement for sewing etc.) · sw sindano (implement for sewing etc.) · cv йӗп (implement for sewing etc.) · qu yawri (implement for sewing etc.) · ast aguya (implement for sewing etc.) · my အပ် (implement for sewing etc.) · id jarum (implement for sewing etc.) · yue 針 /针 (implement for sewing etc.) · cy nodwydd (leaf of conifer) · arc ܬܒܢܐ (implement for sewing etc.) · sk ihla (implement for sewing etc.) · nb synål (implement for sewing etc.) · hy ասեղ (sensor phonograph stylus) · xcl ասեղն (implement for sewing etc.) · hy ասեղ (implement for sewing etc.) · sw sindano (leaf of conifer) · be іго́лка (implement for sewing etc.) · vot niglõ (implement for sewing etc.) · pt agulha (leaf of conifer) · ja(implement for sewing etc.) · sw sindano (indicating device) · zh 針 /针 (implement for sewing etc.) · da nål (leaf of conifer) · blt ꪹꪄꪸꪣ (implement for sewing etc.) · fy nuddel (leaf of conifer) · ill ragum (implement for sewing etc.) · tr iğne (implement for sewing etc.) · tsg jawm (implement for sewing etc.) · fi neulanen (leaf of conifer) · it ago (leaf of conifer) · mk сказалка (indicating device) · chr ᏴᎩ (implement for sewing etc.) · ru спи́ца (implement for sewing etc.) · pdt Notel (implement for sewing etc.) · mww koob (implement for sewing etc.) · ain ケㇺ (implement for sewing etc.) · pbg utiña (implement for sewing etc.) · or ଛୁଞ୍ଚି (implement for sewing etc.) · ny singano (implement for sewing etc.) · umu ambiilaméekwaan (implement for sewing etc.) · hi सुई (indicating device) · gag iinä (implement for sewing etc.) · mk игла (implement for sewing etc.) · or ସୂଚୀ (implement for sewing etc.) · sv nål (indicating device) · scn augghia (implement for sewing etc.) · si සූචිය (implement for sewing etc.) · mk игла (sensor phonograph stylus) · vec gucia (implement for sewing etc.) · nn synål (implement for sewing etc.) · ti መርፍእ (implement for sewing etc.) · sh ìgla (indicating device) · cjs инге (implement for sewing etc.) · nn nål (implement for sewing etc.) · fr aiguille (leaf of conifer) · sms neuˊll (implement for sewing etc.) · fy nuddel (implement for sewing etc.) · mi mātuhi (implement for sewing etc.) · be стрэ́лка (indicating device) · inh маха (implement for sewing etc.) · ne सुई (implement for sewing etc.) · hil dagum (implement for sewing etc.) · ln ntonga (implement for sewing etc.) · mn ᠰᠢᠯᠮᠦᠦᠰᠦ (leaf of conifer) · sl šivanka (implement for sewing etc.) · tg сӯзан (implement for sewing etc.) · za chaem (implement for sewing etc.) · tyv ине (implement for sewing etc.) · ro ac (sensor phonograph stylus) · ro ac (indicating device) · mba dagum (implement for sewing etc.) · hu(leaf of conifer) · nl naald (leaf of conifer) · uz igna (implement for sewing etc.) · mn зүү (implement for sewing etc.) · mrw ragom (implement for sewing etc.) · vi kim (implement for sewing etc.) · stq Näddele (sensor phonograph stylus) · el βελόνα (indicating device) · mk стрелка (indicating device) · evn инмэ (implement for sewing etc.) · da nål (sensor phonograph stylus) · crh iyne (implement for sewing etc.) · kjh іңе (implement for sewing etc.) · mdh ragum (implement for sewing etc.) · za cim (implement for sewing etc.) · gld хурмэ (implement for sewing etc.) · ca agulla (indicating device) · uk хво́я (leaf of conifer) · kk ине (implement for sewing etc.) · hy սլաք (indicating device) · be спі́ца (implement for sewing etc.) · dsb jeglicka (leaf of conifer) · sl igla (implement for sewing etc.) · tr ibre (indicating device) · tt инә (implement for sewing etc.) · ko 바늘 (implement for sewing etc.) · nb nål (implement for sewing etc.) · isd daxum (implement for sewing etc.) · xal темн (implement for sewing etc.) · lv skujas (leaf of conifer) · ar إِبْرَة (implement for sewing etc.) · ru иго́лка (leaf of conifer) · sk ihlica (leaf of conifer) · egl gùcia (implement for sewing etc.) · msk dagum (implement for sewing etc.) · si කටුව (implement for sewing etc.) · nv tsah (implement for sewing etc.) · ryu(implement for sewing etc.) · sh ѝглица (leaf of conifer) · ro undrea (implement for sewing etc.) · de Nadel (indicating device) · akz choyyihissi (leaf of conifer) · uk го́лка (sensor phonograph stylus) · ket иʼнь (implement for sewing etc.) · sce zhun (implement for sewing etc.) · tly darzən (implement for sewing etc.) · lmo guggia (implement for sewing etc.) · gu સોય (implement for sewing etc.) · es saeta (indicating device) · nl naald (implement for sewing etc.) · be ігла́ (implement for sewing etc.) · eo injektilo (implement for sewing etc.) · tr iğne (leaf of conifer) · apj awóoha (implement for sewing etc.) · ota ابره (indicating device) · bdk руб (implement for sewing etc.) · av рукӏкӏен (implement for sewing etc.) · da nål (implement for sewing etc.) · cic naaishtalhcho'wa' (implement for sewing etc.) · fi neula (indicating device) · aho 𑜁𑜢𑜉𑜫 (implement for sewing etc.) · tmr מַחֲטָא (implement for sewing etc.) · fy nuddel (indicating device) · stq Näddele (implement for sewing etc.) · dsb glicka (implement for sewing etc.) · el βελόνα (implement for sewing etc.) · xal зүн (implement for sewing etc.) · sh ѝгла (indicating device) · it ago (implement for sewing etc.) · liv nõggõl (implement for sewing etc.) · oc agulha (leaf of conifer) · bg игла́ (implement for sewing etc.) · fr aiguille (implement for sewing etc.) · hu tűlevél (leaf of conifer) · sq gjilpërë (indicating device) · nb strikkepinne (implement for sewing etc.) · gl frouma (leaf of conifer) · te సూది (implement for sewing etc.) · de Nadel (implement for sewing etc.) · arc ܡܚܛܐ (implement for sewing etc.) · sq shtizë (implement for sewing etc.) · nap aco (implement for sewing etc.) · sh ìgla (implement for sewing etc.) · nn barnål (leaf of conifer) · ccc amejkisi (implement for sewing etc.) · hsb jehła (implement for sewing etc.) · hy փուշ (leaf of conifer) · sq gjilpërë (implement for sewing etc.) · pl wskazówka (indicating device) · sv visare (indicating device) · ur سُوئی (implement for sewing etc.) · ket иʼн (implement for sewing etc.) · fy nuddel (sensor phonograph stylus) · pt agulha (sensor phonograph stylus) · ru игла́ (implement for sewing etc.) · ru иго́лка (implement for sewing etc.) · hi सुई (sensor phonograph stylus) · pt agulha (indicating device) · cy nodwydd (implement for sewing etc.) · bn সূচী (implement for sewing etc.) · el πευκοβελόνα (leaf of conifer) · an agulla (implement for sewing etc.) · ba энә (leaf of conifer) · sq gjilpërë e gramafonit (sensor phonograph stylus) · da nål (indicating device) · gl agulla (implement for sewing etc.) · pl igła (implement for sewing etc.) · yi נאָדל (implement for sewing etc.) · ilo dagum (implement for sewing etc.) · uk го́лка (leaf of conifer) · ngc tonga (implement for sewing etc.) · sv nål (implement for sewing etc.) · mn шилмүүс (leaf of conifer) · fi neula (sensor phonograph stylus) · it puntina (sensor phonograph stylus) · niv нух (implement for sewing etc.) · ro ac (implement for sewing etc.) · sq gjilpërë (sensor phonograph stylus) · ml സൂചി (implement for sewing etc.) · bn সুই (implement for sewing etc.) · izh neegla (implement for sewing etc.) · fo nál (implement for sewing etc.) · lmo gügia (implement for sewing etc.) · vec ucia (implement for sewing etc.) · el βελόνα (sensor phonograph stylus) · nn strikkepinn (implement for sewing etc.) · ykg муридьэ (implement for sewing etc.) · ba энә (implement for sewing etc.) · sl igla (sensor phonograph stylus) · nv tsah bee náʼálkadí (implement for sewing etc.) · ist ago (implement for sewing etc.) · khb ᦃᦲᧄ (implement for sewing etc.) · lld odla (implement for sewing etc.) · az iynə (implement for sewing etc.) · aii ܚܡܵܛܵܐ (implement for sewing etc.) · rsk игелка (implement for sewing etc.) · ady мастэ (implement for sewing etc.) · sdh دەرزی (implement for sewing etc.) · cs jehlice (leaf of conifer) · de Nadel (leaf of conifer) · ryu(implement for sewing etc.) · sv barr (leaf of conifer) · ce маха (implement for sewing etc.) · dsb jeglina (leaf of conifer) · cs jehla (sensor phonograph stylus) · zdj sindzanu (implement for sewing etc.) · myv салмукс (implement for sewing etc.) · bua зүүн (implement for sewing etc.) · hu varrótű (implement for sewing etc.) · ps ستن (implement for sewing etc.) · rsk игла (implement for sewing etc.) · ms jarum (implement for sewing etc.) · fr aiguille (indicating device) · sip ཁབ (implement for sewing etc.) · he מַחַט (indicating device) · ht zegwi (implement for sewing etc.) · pl igła (sensor phonograph stylus) · pl igła (leaf of conifer) · ln tonga (implement for sewing etc.) · ru игла́ (leaf of conifer) · ru хвои́нка (leaf of conifer) · goh nādala (leaf of conifer) · lo ເຂັມ (implement for sewing etc.) · ab агәыр (implement for sewing etc.) · arc ܡܚܲܛܵܐ (implement for sewing etc.) · yo abẹ́rẹ́ (implement for sewing etc.) · uk стрі́лка (indicating device) · ky ийне (implement for sewing etc.) · ota ابره (implement for sewing etc.) · gd snàthad (implement for sewing etc.) · hu(sensor phonograph stylus) · az ibrə (indicating device) · ddg caruma (implement for sewing etc.) · es aguja (leaf of conifer) · ru стре́лка (indicating device) · stq Näddele (leaf of conifer) · mn тэвнэ (implement for sewing etc.) · he מַחַט (implement for sewing etc.) · az qıyıq (implement for sewing etc.) · ltg odota (implement for sewing etc.) · sq akrep (indicating device) · mkz ruma (implement for sewing etc.) · mr सुई (implement for sewing etc.) · ckb دەرزی (implement for sewing etc.) · ttt dərzən (implement for sewing etc.) · sh ìgla (sensor phonograph stylus) · ace jarom (implement for sewing etc.) · cs jehla (implement for sewing etc.) · es saetilla (indicating device) · es aguja (implement for sewing etc.) · nl naald (sensor phonograph stylus) · ug يىڭنە (implement for sewing etc.) · nb pinne (implement for sewing etc.) · gl poma (leaf of conifer) · akz chofistoolfa (implement for sewing etc.) · zh җын (implement for sewing etc.) · ota ایكنه (implement for sewing etc.) · ga snáthaid (indicating device) · fi neula (implement for sewing etc.) · sl igla (indicating device) · lv adata (sensor phonograph stylus) · uk спи́ця (implement for sewing etc.) · grc βελόνη (implement for sewing etc.) · mk показалка (indicating device) · ru хво́я (leaf of conifer) · et nõel (implement for sewing etc.) · lv adata (implement for sewing etc.) · eo nadlo (implement for sewing etc.) · hu(indicating device) · so irbbad (implement for sewing etc.) · mi uhi (implement for sewing etc.) · hu mutató (indicating device) · zdj sindanu (implement for sewing etc.) · dsb wubijak (indicating device) · dlm juac (implement for sewing etc.) · pt agulha (implement for sewing etc.) · sl iglica (leaf of conifer) · stq Näddele (indicating device) · myz ࡌࡄࡀࡈࡀ (implement for sewing etc.) · lt spyglys (leaf of conifer) · kmr derzî (implement for sewing etc.) · sh kàzāljka (indicating device) · ug жиңнә (implement for sewing etc.) · tr iğne (sensor phonograph stylus) · ca agulla (implement for sewing etc.) · non nál (implement for sewing etc.) · prg ayculo (implement for sewing etc.) · rup ac (implement for sewing etc.) · sh ѝгла (implement for sewing etc.) · dsb jegła (implement for sewing etc.) · tbl dalum (implement for sewing etc.) · af naald (implement for sewing etc.) · yi שפּילקע (implement for sewing etc.) · is saumnál (implement for sewing etc.) · ude иӈмэ (implement for sewing etc.) · ota سوزن (implement for sewing etc.) · eve инмэ̇ (implement for sewing etc.) · nn pinne (implement for sewing etc.) · eo kudrilo (implement for sewing etc.) · pam karayum (implement for sewing etc.) · mtq kim (implement for sewing etc.) · uk го́лка (implement for sewing etc.) · eo montrilo (indicating device) · ext abuja (implement for sewing etc.) · ru игла́ (sensor phonograph stylus) · grc ῥαφίς (implement for sewing etc.) · ca agulla (leaf of conifer) · ro andrea (implement for sewing etc.) · rif tiseyneft (implement for sewing etc.) · sv sticka (implement for sewing etc.) · he מַחַט (leaf of conifer) · th เข็ม (implement for sewing etc.) · ca agulla (sensor phonograph stylus) · lol ntonga (implement for sewing etc.) · ta ஊசி (implement for sewing etc.) · ckt титиӈы (implement for sewing etc.) · rhg fuic (implement for sewing etc.) · mi ngira (implement for sewing etc.) · ang nǣdl (implement for sewing etc.) · cs jehla (indicating device) · ceb dagom (implement for sewing etc.) · eo nadlo (indicating device) · wyi kullap (implement for sewing etc.) · hi सुई (implement for sewing etc.) · tl karayom (implement for sewing etc.) · as বেজী (implement for sewing etc.) · ar إبرة (implement for sewing etc.) · es acícula (leaf of conifer) · kaa iyne (implement for sewing etc.) · fr saphir (sensor phonograph stylus) · lez раб (implement for sewing etc.) · gl agulla (leaf of conifer) · jv dom (implement for sewing etc.) · bg игли́чка (sensor phonograph stylus) · war da-gum (implement for sewing etc.) · ga snáthaid (implement for sewing etc.) · ka ნემსი (implement for sewing etc.) · es aguja (indicating device) · fa سوزَن (implement for sewing etc.) · nl naald (indicating device) · nn strikkepinne (implement for sewing etc.) · it lancetta (indicating device) · hu(implement for sewing etc.) · de Nadel (sensor phonograph stylus) · os судзин (implement for sewing etc.) · pi sūci (implement for sewing etc.) · tk iňňe (implement for sewing etc.) · goh nādala (indicating device) · pap hangua (implement for sewing etc.) · aii ܡܚܲܛܵܐ (implement for sewing etc.) · ext uja (implement for sewing etc.) · nrf edjulle (implement for sewing etc.) · kum ине (implement for sewing etc.) · rm guglia (implement for sewing etc.) · lv adata (indicating device)

needle en · VERB

Pronunciation

  • [ˈnɪi̯.dəl] ~ [ˈnɪi̯.dl̩]
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈniː.dəl/
  • (US) audio
  • (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-trom Proto-Indo-European *-tlom Proto-Indo-European *(s)néh₁tlom Proto-Germanic *nēþlą Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Germanic *-ō Proto-Germanic *nēþlō Proto-West Germanic *nāþlu Old English nǣdl Middle English nedle English needle From Middle English nedle, from Old English nǣdl, from Proto-West Germanic *nāþlu, from Proto-Germanic *nēþlō, from pre-Germanic *neh₁-tleh₂, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁- (“to spin, twist”). Cognates Cognate with Saterland Frisian Näddele (“sewing needle”), Dutch naald (“needle”), German Nadel (“needle, pin, crochet hook”), nähen (“sew”), Luxembourgish Nol (“needle”), Vilamovian nöłd (“needle”), Yiddish נאָדל (nodl, “needle, pin”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, Swedish nål (“needle”), Elfdalian ną̊l (“needle”), Faroese, Icelandic nál (“needle”), Gothic 𐌽𐌴𐌸𐌻𐌰 (nēþla, “sewing needle”), Finnish neula (“needle”). Further related with Welsh nyddu, Latin nēre, Sanskrit स्नायति (snāyati, “wraps up, winds”). Related to snood.

Meanings

  1. To pierce with a needle, especially for sewing or acupuncture.
    • […]the eyes were once more beginning to show the old nystagmus; so I decided to needle the cataracts, and on Jan. 31 I needled the right eye. 1892, H. Lindo Ferguson, “Operation on Microphthamlmic Eyes”, in Ophthalmic Review, volume 11, page 48:
    • Possibly the greatest effect is achieved in the hand by needling the thumb, the index finger and the region of the 1st and 2nd metacarpal. 2000, Felix Mann, Reinventing Acupuncture, page 109:
  2. (transitive) To tease in order to provoke; to poke fun at.
    • FRED: Well, I teased her to some extent, or I needled her, not teased her. I needled her about—first I said that she didn't want to work, and then I think that there were a couple of comments. 1984, Leopold Caligor, Philip M. Bromberg, James D. Meltzer, Clinical Perspectives on the Supervision of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, page 14:
    • Billy needled his sister incessantly about her pimples.
    • Significantly, similar language was used by Sullivan, who had been needled by a question from a Ukrainian activist who suggested the US was “afraid of Ukraine winning”. 2023 July 12, Dan Sabbagh, “Zelenskiy forced to recalibrate to avert Nato summit falling-out”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
    • To needle Lady Leviathan, Hel has convinced her husband to agree to the heartful offer. 2015, Carl Gleba, “Megaverse in Flames”, in Rifts World Book 35:
  3. (ambitransitive) To form, or be formed, in the shape of a needle.
    • to needle crystals

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
needles Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
needling Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
needled Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
needled Tense=Past lexicographic

Deriveds

needler

Synonyms

tease · goad

Translations (36)

fr coudre (to pierce with a needle) · sk prepichnúť (to pierce with a needle) · sw sindano (to tease in order to provoke) · nl naaien (to pierce with a needle) · el διαολίζω (to tease in order to provoke) · nl prikkelen (to tease in order to provoke) · mi hakirara (to tease in order to provoke) · hu piszkál (to tease in order to provoke) · nl plagen (to tease in order to provoke) · sh podbadati (to tease in order to provoke) · it punzonare (to pierce with a needle) · bg провокирам (to tease in order to provoke) · fa سوزن زدن (to pierce with a needle) · sk prepichovať (to pierce with a needle) · fr monter qqn (to tease in order to provoke) · sk podpichnúť (to tease in order to provoke) · mi makitohene (to tease in order to provoke) · sk podpichovať (to tease in order to provoke) · fi kiusoitella (to tease in order to provoke) · sk vpichnúť (to pierce with a needle) · fr taquiner (to tease in order to provoke) · sk vpichovať (to pierce with a needle) · fi piikitellä (to tease in order to provoke) · pl drażnić (to tease in order to provoke) · ml കുത്തുക (to pierce with a needle) · nl pesten (to tease in order to provoke) · it punzecchiare (to tease in order to provoke) · ota ایكنهلمك (to pierce with a needle) · nl stangen (to tease in order to provoke) · de hänseln (to tease in order to provoke) · sh probadati (to pierce with a needle) · fi härnätä (to tease in order to provoke) · bg шия (to pierce with a needle) · fr asticoter (to tease in order to provoke) · bg дразня (to tease in order to provoke) · el βουρλίζω (to tease in order to provoke)