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

Crochet hooks, soda bottles, and darning needles were also used in attempts to end pregnancies.

From Salon

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

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