NEEDLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does needle mean? 

• NEEDLE (noun)
  The noun NEEDLE has 4 senses:

1. the leaf of a conifer

2. a slender pointer for indicating the reading on the scale of a measuring instrument

3. a sharp pointed implement (usually steel)

4. a stylus that formerly made sound by following a groove in a phonograph record

  Familiarity information: NEEDLE used as a noun is uncommon.

• NEEDLE (verb)
  The verb NEEDLE has 2 senses:

1. annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism

2. prick with a needle

  Familiarity information: NEEDLE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NEEDLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The leaf of a conifer

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

acerate leaf; needle

Hypernyms ("needle" is a kind of...):

simple leaf (a leaf that is not divided into parts)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A slender pointer for indicating the reading on the scale of a measuring instrument

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("needle" is a kind of...):

pointer (an indicator as on a dial)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A sharp pointed implement (usually steel)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("needle" is a kind of...):

implement (instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end)

Meronyms (parts of "needle"):

eye (a small hole or loop (as in a needle))

point (sharp end)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "needle"):

crochet hook; crochet needle (a needle with a hook on the end; used in crocheting)

dry point (a steel needle for engraving without acid on a bare copper plate)

hypodermic needle (a hollow needle)

knitting needle (needle consisting of a slender rod with pointed ends; usually used in pairs)

packing needle (a large needle used to sew up canvas packages)

sewing needle (a needle used in sewing to pull thread through cloth)

Derivation:

needle (prick with a needle)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A stylus that formerly made sound by following a groove in a phonograph record

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

needle; phonograph needle

Hypernyms ("needle" is a kind of...):

stylus (a sharp pointed device attached to the cartridge of a record player)

• NEEDLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they needle    ... he / she / it needles   
Past simple: needled   
Past participle: needled   
-ing form: needling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

goad; needle

Context example:

He needled her with his sarcastic remarks

Hypernyms (to "needle" is one way to...):

beset; chevvy; chevy; chivvy; chivy; harass; harry; hassle; molest; plague; provoke (annoy continually or chronically)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Prick with a needle

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "needle" is one way to...):

prick; prickle (make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn)

Domain category:

sewing; stitchery (needlework on which you are working with needle and thread)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

needle (a sharp pointed implement (usually steel))

 Context examples 

The syringe is then removed and the needle is rotated to remove a sample of the bone and the bone marrow.

(Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, NCI Dictionary)

Then, a special, wide needle is pushed into the bone and rotated to remove a sample of bone with the bone marrow inside it.

(Bone marrow biopsy, NCI Dictionary)

A sample of liquid bone marrow is removed with a syringe attached to the needle.

(Bone marrow aspiration, NCI Dictionary)

A needle biopsy removes tissue with a needle passed through your skin to the site of the problem.

(Biopsy, NIH)

The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope.

(Needle biopsy, NCI Dictionary)

The removal of a tissue sample using a needle, for microscopic examination.

(Needle biopsy, NCI Thesaurus)

Removal of tissue from the prostate for microscopic examination, using a needle.

(Needle Biopsy of Prostate, NCI Thesaurus)

A drug delivery system that permits injection of a liquid medication subcutaneously without the use of a needle.

(Needle Free Injection, NCI Thesaurus)

Removal of tissue from the liver for microscopic examination, using a needle.

(Needle Biopsy of Liver, NCI Thesaurus)

“I wish you'd go upstairs,” said my aunt, as she threaded her needle, “and give my compliments to Mr. Dick, and I'll be glad to know how he gets on with his Memorial.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)