needle

American  

[need-l] / ˈnid l /

noun

1. a small, slender, rodlike instrument, usually of polished steel, with a sharp point at one end and an eye or hole for thread at the other, for passing thread through cloth to make stitches in sewing.

2. any of various similar, usually considerably larger, implements for making stitches, as one for use in knitting or one hooked at the end for use in crocheting.

3. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a slender, pointed, steel instrument used in sewing or piercing tissues, as in suturing.

   2. hypodermic needle.

4. Informal. an injection of a drug or medicine; shot.

5. any of various objects resembling or suggesting a needle.

6. the tapered stylus at the end of a phonographic tonearm, used to transmit vibrations from a record groove to a transducer for conversion to audible signals.

7. Electricity. magnetic needle.

8. a pointed instrument, or stylus, used in engraving, etching, or the like.

9. Botany. a needle-shaped leaf, as of a conifer.

   a pine needle.

10. Zoology. a slender sharp spicule.

11. Chemistry, Mineralogy. a needlelike crystal.

12. a sharp-pointed mass or pinnacle of rock.

13. an obelisk or a tapering, four-sided shaft of stone.

    Cleopatra's Needle.

14. Also called needle beam.  Building Trades. a short beam passed through a wall as a temporary support.

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verb (used with object)

needled, needling

1. to sew or pierce with or as if with a needle.

   to needle a patch on a sleeve.

2. Informal.

   1. to prod or goad (someone) to a specified action.

      We needled her into going with us.

   2. to tease.

      We needled him about his big ears.

3. Slang. to add alcohol or ether to (a beverage).

   to needle beer.

verb (used without object)

needled, needling

1. to form needles in crystallization.

2. to work with a needle.

idioms

1. the needle, irritating abuse; teasing; heckling (used especially in the phrases give someone the needle andget the needle ).

2. on the needle, taking drugs by injection, especially habitually.

needle British  

/ ˈniːdəl /

noun

1. a pointed slender piece of metal, usually steel, with a hole or eye in it through which thread is passed for sewing

2. a somewhat larger rod with a point at one or each end, used in knitting

3. a similar instrument with a hook at one end for crocheting

4. 1. another name for stylus

   2. a small thin pointed device, esp one made of stainless steel, used to transmit the vibrations from a gramophone record to the pick-up

5. med

   1. the long hollow pointed part of a hypodermic syringe, which is inserted into the body

   2. an informal name for hypodermic syringe

6. surgery a pointed steel instrument, often curved, for suturing, puncturing, or ligating

7. a long narrow stiff leaf, esp of a conifer, in which water loss is greatly reduced

   pine needles

8. any slender sharp spine, such as the spine of a sea urchin

9. any slender pointer for indicating the reading on the scale of a measuring instrument

10. short for magnetic needle

11. a crystal resembling a needle in shape

12. a sharp pointed metal instrument used in engraving and etching

13. anything long and pointed, such as an obelisk

    a needle of light

14. a short horizontal beam passed through a wall and supported on vertical posts to take the load of the upper part of the wall

15. informal

    1. anger or intense rivalry, esp in a sporting encounter

    2. ( as modifier )

       a needle match

16. informal to feel dislike, distaste, nervousness, or annoyance (for)

    she got the needle after he had refused her invitation

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verb

1. informal (tr) to goad or provoke, as by constant criticism

2. (tr) to sew, embroider, or prick (fabric) with a needle

3. (tr) to increase the alcoholic strength of (beer or other beverages)

4. (intr) (of a substance) to form needle-shaped crystals

needle Scientific  

/ nēd′l /

1. A narrow, stiff leaf, as of firs, pines, and other conifers. The reduced surface area of needles minimizes water loss and allows needle-bearing plants to live in dry climates.

2. See more at leaf

3. See hypodermic needle

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needle More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing needle

• on pins and needles

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Other Word Forms

• needlelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of needle

First recorded before 900; 1880–85 needle for def. 16; Middle English nedle, Old English nǣdl, cognate with German Nadel; akin to Latin nēre to spin

Example Sentences

Yet many people with excess weight don’t take the shots due to cost, spotty insurance coverage and fear of needles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paul Thomas Anderson has been deploying needle drops with precision since “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia,” and 10 movies deep into his career, his ear remains sharp.

From Los Angeles Times

After sitting for a long time, you may find walking difficult or feel pins and needles in your legs.

From Science Daily

The show’s music producer, George Drakoulias, is a master of the flawless diegetic needle drop, as when Mark S. finishes his seemingly endless project to the sound of The Alan Parsons Project’s banger “Sirius.”

From Salon

Manzur’s theory is that, in a state like New Hampshire, famous for the retail politics of its presidential primary, even a relatively small group of volunteers can move the needle.

From Salon

Related Words

• badger
• bait
• bedevil
• goad
• hector
• irk
• irritate
• nag
• pester
• prod
• taunt
• tweak