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bradawl

American  
[brad-awl] / ˈbrædˌɔl /

noun

Carpentry.
  1. an awl for making small holes in wood for brads.


bradawl British  
/ ˈbrædˌɔːl /

noun

  1. an awl used to pierce wood, leather, or other materials for the insertion of brads, screws, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of bradawl

First recorded in 1815–25; brad + awl

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.

The simplest form of wood-piercing tool is the awl or bradawl, shown in Figs.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he began to sing, in a shrill voice, that worked its way, as a bradawl through wood, past all the noise of the elements.

From Project Gutenberg

It twisted itself half round, then reverted to its former position, and again twisted itself, moving like a bradawl, not like a gimlet, which latter forms a complete revolution.

From Project Gutenberg

The animal can then usually be removed with a bradawl, or, better still, a sail needle stuck into a cork.

From Project Gutenberg

Dolly was holding his tools, by permission—only not chisels or gouges, or gimlets, or bradawls, or anything with an edge to it—and the sunflower outside was watching them.

From Project Gutenberg