needle
[ need-l ]
/ ˈnid l /
noun
verb (used with object), nee·dled, nee·dling.
verb (used without object), nee·dled, nee·dling.
to form needles in crystallization.
to work with a needle.
Idioms for needle
on the needle, Slang.
taking drugs by injection, especially habitually.
the needle, Informal.
irritating abuse; teasing; heckling (used especially in the phrases give someone the needle and get the needle).
Origin of needle
before 900; 1880–85
for def 16; Middle English
nedle, Old English
nǣdl, cognate with German
Nadel; akin to Latin
nēre to spin
OTHER WORDS FROM needle
nee·dle·like, adjectiveWords nearby needle
needed,
needfire,
needful,
needham,
neediness,
needle,
needle bath,
needle bearing,
needle biopsy,
needle exchange,
needle fly
Example sentences from the Web for needling
British Dictionary definitions for needling
needle
/ (ˈniːdəl) /
noun
verb
Word Origin for needle
Old English
nǣdl; related to Gothic
nēthla, German
Nadel
Medical definitions for needling (1 of 2)
needling
[ nēd′l-ĭng ]
n.
Dissection of a soft or secondary cataract.
Medical definitions for needling (2 of 2)
needle
[ nēd′l ]
n.
A slender, usually sharp-pointed instrument used for puncturing tissues, suturing, or passing a ligature around an artery.
A hollow, slender, sharp-pointed instrument used for injection or aspiration.
v.
To separate tissues by means of one or two needles in the dissection of small parts.
Scientific definitions for needling
needle
[ nēd′l ]
A narrow, stiff leaf, as of firs, pines, and other conifers. The reduced surface area of needles minimizes water loss and allows needle-bearing plants to live in dry climates. See more at leaf.
See hypodermic needle.
Idioms and Phrases with needling
needle