needle

needle
{{11}}needle (n.) O.E. nædl, from P.Gmc. *næthlo (Cf. O.S. nathla, O.N. nal, O.Fris. nedle, O.H.G. nadala, Ger. Nadel, Goth. neþla "needle"), lit. "a tool for sewing," from PIE *net-la-, from root * (s)ne- "to sew, to spin" (Cf. Skt. snayati "wraps up," Gk. nein "to spin," L. nere "to spin," Ger. nähen "to sew," O.C.S. niti "thread," O.Ir. snathat "needle," Welsh nyddu "to sew," nodwydd "needle") + instrumental suffix *-tla.
To seke out one lyne in all hys bookes wer to go looke a nedle in a meadow. [Thomas More, c.1530]
Meaning "piece of magnetized steel in a compass" is from late 14c. (on a dial or indicator from 1928); the surgical instrument so called from 1727; phonographic sense from 1902; sense of "leaf of a fir or pine tree" first attested 1797. Needledom "the world of sewing" is from 1847. Needle's eye, figurative of a minute opening, often is a reference to Matt. xix:24.
{{12}}needle (v.) 1715, "to sew or pierce with a needle," from NEEDLE (Cf. needle) (n.). Meaning "goad, provoke" (1881) probably is from earlier meaning "haggle in making a bargain" (1812). Related: Needled; needling.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Needle — may refer to: Contents 1 Crafting 2 Botany 3 Geography 4 …   Wikipedia

  • Needle — Nee dle (n[=e] d l), n. [OE. nedle, AS. n[=ae]dl; akin to D. neald, OS. n[=a]dla, G. nadel, OHG. n[=a]dal, n[=a]dala, Icel. n[=a]l, Sw. n[*a]l, Dan. naal, and also to G. n[ a]hen to sew, OHG. n[=a]jan, L. nere to spin, Gr. ne ein, and perh. to E …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • needle — [nēd′ l] n. [ME nedle < OE nædl, akin to Ger nadel < IE base * (s)nē , *(s)nēi , to sew, spin > SNOOD, L nere, Gr nein, to spin] 1. a) a small, slender piece of steel with a sharp point at one end and a hole for thread at the other, used …   English World dictionary

  • Needle — Título Needle Ficha técnica Dirección John V. Soto Producción Diedre Kitcher Guion …   Wikipedia Español

  • Needle — Nee dle, v. t. 1. To form in the shape of a needle; as, to needle crystals. [1913 Webster] 2. To tease (a person), especially repeatedly. [PJC] 3. To prod or goad (someone) into action by teasing or daring. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • needle — ► NOUN 1) a very thin pointed piece of metal with a hole or eye for thread at the blunter end, used in sewing. 2) a similar, larger instrument without an eye, used in knitting, crochet, etc. 3) the pointed hollow end of a hypodermic syringe. 4) a …   English terms dictionary

  • Needle — Nee dle, v. i. To form needles; to crystallize in the form of needles. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • needle — index annoy, harrow, harry (harass), irritate, pique, plague, stimulus Burton s Legal Thesaurus. W …   Law dictionary

  • needle — [v] tease, annoy aggravate, badger, bait, bedevil, bother, examine, gnaw, goad, harass, hector, irk, irritate, nag, nettle, pester, plague, prick, prod, provoke, question, quiz, ride*, rile, ruffle, spur, sting, taunt, tweak*, worry; concepts… …   New thesaurus

  • needle — noun 1 for sewing, knitting, etc. ADJECTIVE ▪ long ▪ blunt ▪ sharp ▪ fine ▪ darning, embroidery …   Collocations dictionary

  • needle — needlelike, adj. /need l/, n., v., needled, needling. n. 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… …   Universalium

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