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(), n.[OE. nedle, AS. ndl; akin to D. neald, OS. ndla, G. nadel, OHG. ndal, ndala, Icel. nl, Sw. nl, Dan. naal, and also to G. nhen to sew, OHG. njan, L. nere to spin, Gr. , and perh. to E. snare: cf. Gael. & Ir. snathad needle, Gael. snath thread, G. schnur string, cord.] 1. A small instrument of steel, sharply pointed at one end, with an eye to receive a thread, -- used in sewing. Chaucer. In some needles(as for sewing machines) the eye is at the pointed end, but in ordinary needles it is at the blunt end. 2. See Magnetic needle, under Magnetic. 3. A slender rod or wire used in knitting; a knitting needle; also, a hooked instrument which carries the thread or twine, and by means of which knots or loops are formed in the process of netting, knitting, or crocheting. 4. (Bot.) One of the needle-shaped secondary leaves of pine trees. See Pinus. 5. Any slender, pointed object, like a needle, as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc. Di Nee"dle v. t.To form in the shape of a needle; as, to needle crystals. Nee"dle v. i.To form needles; to crystallize in the form of needles. スポンサード リンク
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