darning needle

American  

noun

1. a long needle with a long eye used in darning.

2. Chiefly Northern and Western U.S. a dragonfly.

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darning needle British  

noun

1. a long needle with a large eye used for darning

2. a dialect name for a dragonfly

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Regionalisms

See dragonfly.

Etymology

Origin of darning needle

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

After all, some of the first subcutaneous drug delivery options involved shoving a pellet of medication under the skin with a darning needle.

From Scientific American

She had made it herself, on the head of a darning needle which had a broken eye, so it couldn’t be used as a needle any more.

From Literature

Use a darning needle and colored yarn to stitch craft paper together and elevate your wrapping game.

From New York Times

Marcella suggests sewing up the openings of the squid sacs with a darning needle and cotton thread, but you can use flat toothpicks instead.

From Seattle Times

Mrs. Hickock rethreaded her darning needle; her husband rocked his rocker and sucked on an unlit pipe.

From Literature