needle

verbtease, annoy

Synonyms for needle

verb tease, annoy

Antonyms for needle

Word Origin & History

Old English nædl, from Proto-Germanic *næthlo (cf. Old Saxon nathla, Old Norse nal, Old Frisian nedle, Old High German nadala, German Nadel, Gothic neþla "needle"), literally "a tool for sewing," from PIE *net-la-, from root *(s)ne- "to sew, to spin" (cf. Sanskrit snayati "wraps up," Greek nein "to spin," Latin nere "to spin," German nähen "to sew," Old Church Slavonic niti "thread," Old Irish snathat "needle," Welsh nyddu "to sew," nodwydd "needle") + instrumental suffix *-tla.

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.

Example Sentences forneedle

How many hours in the twenty-four do you devote to your needle?

"I'll use my scissors and needle on them to-night," she said, ruthlessly.

Wherever I glance my eyes, they meet something that pricks them like a needle.

Who that has poached a pile does not gravitate there, as the needle to the pole?

The only thing in which she showed ability, if so it might be called, was in the use of the needle.

They've got spurs on their legs as long's my darnin'-needle.

Priscilla dropped her needle, and bent over the frame with interest.

Be so good as to say nothing of my niece's working at her needle.

"There's nothing noble about it at all," she said as she threaded her needle.

The needle was diligently but awkwardly plied in this pause.

needle

Synonyms for needle

Antonyms for needle

aggravated

aggravates

aggravating

annoy

annoys

needle

Synonyms for needle

Antonyms for needle

More words related to needle

aggravate

aggravated

aggravates

aggravating

annoy

annoys