needle
UK[ˈniːdl̩]US[ˈniːdl̩]
n
a very thin, pointed piece of polished metal used in sewing, with a hole at one end for the thread.
n
a thin, pointed piece of metal used in medicine for giving injections or taking blood.
n
a thin, pointed object that forms part of a machine, such as the pointer on a measuring instrument or the stylus on a record player.
v
to deliberately annoy someone by making critical remarks or jokes.
Etymology
the word "needle" descends from the old english "nǣdl," which is related to the old norse "nál" and the german "nadel." these all trace back to the proto-germanic "nēþlō," a term for a sewing implement. this proto-germanic root is further connected to the proto-indo-european root "neh₁-," meaning "to sew" or "to bind," which is also the ancestor of the latin "nēre" (to spin) and the greek "nēma" (thread). the semantic journey is direct, from the ancient concept of sewing and thread to the specific, pointed tool used for that purpose. over centuries, the word's application broadened metaphorically to describe any similar slender, pointed object, from medical instruments to the indicators on a dial.
Analysis
the word "needle" is a simplex word of old english origin. it is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern english.
Examples
she carefully threaded the needle to sew on the button.
the nurse used a sterile needle for the vaccination.
his friends would often needle him about his fear of heights.