Needle

GRE 考研

[编辑] 解释

n. 针, 针叶
［类］ needle : knit / loom : weave ( 针用来编织 / 织布机用来织布) leaf : oak / needle : pine / frond : fern ( 橡树上的树叶 / 松树上的针叶 / 蕨类植物的复叶)

I. noun

Etymology: Middle English nedle, from Old English n?dl; akin to Old High German nādala needle, nājan to sew, Latin nēre to spin, Greek nēn
Date: before 12th century
1.
- a. a small slender usually steel instrument that has an eye for thread or surgical sutures at one end and that is used for sewing
- b. any of various devices for carrying thread and making stitches (as in crocheting or knitting)
- c.
  - (1) a slender hollow instrument for introducing material into or removing material from the body (as by insertion under the skin)
  - (2) any of various slender hollow devices used to introduce matter (as air) into or remove it from an object (as a ball)
2.
- a. a slender bar of magnetized steel that when allowed to turn freely (as in a compass) indicates the direction of a magnetic field (as of the earth)
- b. a slender usually sharp-pointed indicator on a dial
3.
- a. a slender pointed object resembling a needle: as
  - (1) a pointed crystal
  - (2) a sharp rock
  - (3) obelisk
- b. a needle-shaped leaf (as of a conifer)
- c. a slender rod (as of jewel or steel) with a rounded tip used in a phonograph to transmit vibrations from a record ; stylus
- d. a slender pointed rod controlling a fine inlet or outlet (as in a valve)
4. a teasing or gibing remark
? needlelike adjective

II. verb (needled; needling)

Date: circa 1715
transitive verb
- 1. to sew or pierce with or as if with a needle
- 2.
  - a. tease, torment
  - b. to incite to action by repeated gibes <needled the boy into a fight>
intransitive verb
- sew, embroider
? needler noun