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Intermediate Dictionary
       

nee·dle

needle

 
 
pronunciation:
ni dl
parts of speech:
noun, verb
features:
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: a thin instrument made of steel with a hole at one end for thread and a sharp point at the other. A needle is used for sewing cloth or closing wounds.
 
similar words:
pin, punch
definition 2: a long, slender rod used for knitting or crocheting, and made of steel, wood, plastic, or some other material.
definition 3: a very thin metal tube with a sharp point, used to put medicine into the body.
 
definition 4: a long, thin pointer on a clock, meter, or dial.
The needle on a compass points north.
synonyms:
hand, pointer
similar words:
dial, minute hand
definition 5: a leaf of an evergreen tree that looks like a needle.
The floor of the pine grove was covered with pine needles.
 
similar words:
brier, leaf, thorn
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: needles, needling, needled
definition: (informal) to tease, annoy or make angry.
They needled Harry about his broken glasses.
synonyms:
bait, bug, provoke, tease
similar words:
badger, bait, harass, heckle, irritate, kid, pester, pick on, prod, ride
derivation: needlelike (adj.)
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