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/ˈniː.dəl/ · noun
A long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing as in sewing, embroidery, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections, sutures, etc; or a blunt but otherwise similar implement used for forming loops or knots in crafts such as darning, knitting, tatting, etc..
The seamstress threaded the needle to sew on a button.
reusable needles
single-use needles
a compass needle
The needle on the fuel gauge pointed to empty.
"[…] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work."
Ziggy bought some diamond needles for his hi-fi phonograph.
At the very moment he cried out, David realised that what he had run into was only the Christmas tree. Disgusted with himself at such cowardice, he spat a needle from his mouth.
Use needle when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.
Needle means A long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing as in sewing, embroidery, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections, sutures, etc; or a blunt but otherwise similar implement used for forming loops or knots in crafts such as darning, knitting, tatting, etc..
Common synonyms include neele, goad, tease, nettle.
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
The seamstress threaded the needle to sew on a button.
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