English

Noun

1. A long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing such as sewing, or knitting, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections etc.

   The seamstress threaded the needle to sew on a button.

2. A long, thin device for indicating measurements on a dial or graph, e.g. a compass needle.

   The needle on the fuel gauge pointed to empty.

3. A sensor for playing phonograph records, a phonograph stylus.

   Ziggy bought some diamond needles for his hi-fi phonograph.

4. A long, pointed leaf found on some conifers.

   I boiled some of the needles from the Christmas tree to add a pleasing scent to the air.

5. A weapon used in ancient China, and today by Shaolin monks.

Verb

1. To pierce with a needle, especially for sewing or acupuncture.
   • 1892, H. Lindo Ferguson, "Operation on Microphthamlmic Eyes", Ophthalmic Review‎, volume 11, page 48

     the eyes were once more beginning to show the old nystagmus; so I decided to needle the cataracts, and on Jan. 31 I needled the right eye.

   • 2000, Felix Mann, Reinventing Acupuncture, page 109

     Possibly the greatest effect is achieved in the hand by needling the thumb, the index finger and the region of the 1st and 2nd metacarpal.

2. To tease in order to provoke; to poke fun at.

   Billy needled his sister incessantly about her pimples.

   • 1984, Leopold Caligor, Philip M. Bromberg, & James D. Meltzer, Clinical Perspectives on the Supervision of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy‎, page 14

     FRED: Well, I teased her to some extent, or I needled her, not teased her. I needled her about—first I said that she didn't want to work, and then I think that there were a couple of comments.