bodkin

[ bod-kin ]
See synonyms for bodkin on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a small, pointed instrument for making holes in cloth, leather, etc.

  2. a long pinshaped instrument used by women to fasten up the hair.

  1. a blunt, needlelike instrument for drawing tape, cord, etc., through a loop, hem, or the like.

  2. Obsolete. a small dagger; stiletto.

Origin of bodkin

1
1350–1400; Middle English badeken, bo(i)dekyn, of uncertain origin

Words Nearby bodkin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bodkin in a sentence

  • Next from the large casket Mrs. Sin took another smaller casket and a very long, tapering silver bodkin.

    Dope | Sax Rohmer
  • He calmly inserted the bodkin in the second cake; seemed to meet with some obstruction, and laid the ball down upon the counter.

    Dope | Sax Rohmer
  • Christopher bodkin of Tuam may, from his character, have conformed insincerely, but this is not proved.

  • But I must not say more even to you, dear Mrs. bodkin, for these are State secrets, which should be sacredly respected.

    A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) | Frances Eleanor Trollope
  • We have already been present at more than one social gathering at Dr. bodkin's house.

    A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) | Frances Eleanor Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for bodkin

bodkin

/ (ˈbɒdkɪn) /


noun
  1. a blunt large-eyed needle used esp for drawing tape through openwork

  2. archaic a dagger

  1. printing a pointed steel tool used for extracting characters when correcting metal type

  2. archaic a long ornamental hairpin

Origin of bodkin

1
C14: probably of Celtic origin; compare Gaelic biodag dagger

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012