aiguille
Americannoun
noun
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a rock mass or mountain peak shaped like a needle
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an instrument for boring holes in rocks or masonry
Etymology
Origin of aiguille
1810–20; < French: literally, needle < Vulgar Latin *acūcula, alteration of Late Latin acucula, equivalent to acu ( s ) needle + -cula -cule 1; cf. acicula
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Constantly I have been alone on the Glacier des Bois—and far among the loneliest aiguille recesses.
From The Life of John Ruskin by Collingwood, W. G. (William Gershom)
Next, to the left, comes the largest of the buttresses of which I have spoken, almost forming an aiguille in itself.
From The Ascent of the Matterhorn by Whymper, Edward
It is seen, as there shown, from the moraine of the Charmoz glacier, its summit bearing S. 40� W.; and its cleavage bed leaning to the left or S.E., against the aiguille Blaiti�re.
From Modern Painters, Volume IV (of V) by Ruskin, John
In our opinion the western aiguille can hardly be more than 200 feet higher than the eastern one.
From The Ascent of the Matterhorn by Whymper, Edward
She was reading the account of the first ascent of an aiguille in the Chamonix district, held by guides to be impossible and conquered at last by a party of amateurs.
From Running Water by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
