Meaning

A small sharp pointed tool for making holes in cloth or leather..

Definitions by Sense

1. A small sharp pointed tool for making holes in cloth or leather.
2. A blunt needle used for threading ribbon or cord through a hem or casing.
3. A hairpin.
4. A dagger.
5. A type of long thin arrowhead.
6. (printing) A sharp tool, like an awl, formerly used for pressing down individual type characters (e.g. letters) from a column or page in making corrections.
7. Closely wedged between two people.

Example Sentences

As with compulsory Sunday worship, death for blasphemy was for the third offence. A bodkin, a large blunt needle, was thrust through the tongue for the second offence.

A rich, flushed colour—large black eyes—teeth that shone from their brilliant whiteness—a slender shape—and most minute feet, in such little shoes of Cordova leather—a silver chain round her neck, to which hung a medal of the Madonna—a dark-brown boddice and short skirt, relieved by a lacing of scarlet riband—long black hair, bound in one large plait round the head, and fastened by a silver bodkin.

When he himſelfe might his Quietus make / With a bare Bodkin?

And he smote Corinius on his shaven jowl with the dice box, calling him cheat and mangy rascal, whereupon Corinius drew forth a bodkin to smite him in the neck withal; […]

And can a man his own quietus make / with a bare bodkin? / With daggers, bodkins, bullets, man can make / a bruise or break of exit for his life; / but is that a quietus, O tell me, is it quietus?

to sit bodkin

Moreover, Mr. Jorrocks insisted upon riding bodkin — a very awkward-sized bodkin he was — especially as he would have all three to sit back, so that the conversation might be general.

He's too big to travel bodkin between you and me.

Word Forms

• bodkins
• bodikin
• bodkine
• botkin
• boidken

Synonyms for bodkin

Related Words

When Should You Use Bodkin?

Use bodkin when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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