ˈni:dl n. & v. --n. 1 a a
very thin small piece of
smooth steel etc.
pointed at
one end and with a
slit (eye)
for thread at
the other, used in
sewing. b a larger
plastic,
wooden, etc.
slender stick
without an
eye, used in
knitting. c a slender
hooked stick used in
crochet. 2 a
pointer on a
dial (see
magnetic needle). 3
any of
several small thin pointed instruments, esp.: a a
surgical instrument for stitching. b the end of a
hypodermic syringe. c =
STYLUS. d an
etching tool. e a steel
pin exploding the
cartridge of a breech-loading
gun. 4 a an
obelisk (Cleopatra's Needle). b a pointed rock or peak. 5 the
leaf of a
fir or pine
tree. 6 a
beam used as a
temporary support during underpinning. 7
Brit. sl. a fit of
bad temper or nervousness (got the needle
while waiting). --v.tr. 1 colloq.
incite or
irritate;
provoke (the
silence needled him). 2
sew,
pierce, or
operate on with a needle. øneedle game (or match etc.) Brit. a
contest that is very close or arouses
personal grudges. needle in a
haystack something almost impossible to
find because it is concealed by so
many other things etc. needle-lace
lace made with needles
not bobbins. needle-point 1 a very
sharp point. 2 = needle-lace. 3 = GROS or
petit point. needle's eye (or eye of a needle) the
least possible aperture,
esp. with
ref. to
Matt. 19:24. needle
time an agreed
maximum allowance of time for broadcasting
music from records. needle
valve a valve
closed by a thin tapering
part. [OE nódl f. Gmc]
