Needle Meaning
Needle Definition & Usage
A slender, pointed instrument used in sewing, embroidery, or other needlework tasks, typically made of metal and having an eye to hold thread.
Examples
- "She threaded the needle carefully before starting the stitch."
- "He used a needle to patch up the tear in his shirt."
- "The tailor needs a finer needle for delicate fabrics."
- "I can’t find the needle in the sewing kit."
- "The needle broke while trying to sew through the thick leather."
A small, sharp object, often associated with drug use, particularly heroin. Sometimes referred to as a 'needle' in informal speech.
Examples
- "He was arrested for possession of needles and other drug paraphernalia."
- "The street was littered with discarded needles."
- "She struggled with addiction and had to fight the temptation of needles."
- "The police found a needle in the alley, alongside some suspicious substances."
- "He’s been trying to quit, but the needles keep drawing him back."
To prod or poke someone or something repeatedly, often in a way that is annoying or irritating, similar to the action of a needle.
Examples
- "Stop needling me about my job, I’m already stressed enough."
- "He was needling his friend, trying to get him to admit he was wrong."
- "She kept needling him with questions about his personal life."
- "He needled her for not going to the party."
- "The children were needling each other during the car ride, making it hard to concentrate."
A thin, pointed object used in various technical applications, such as in machinery, medical procedures, or scientific instruments.
Examples
- "The needle of the microscope moved slightly, adjusting the focus."
- "He used a needle to inject the vaccine into the patient's arm."
- "The sewing machine needle jammed while stitching through the multiple layers."
- "Technicians must carefully replace the needle in the machine every few months."
- "The doctor inserted a needle to draw a blood sample for testing."
Cultural Context
The word 'needle' has a long history in human culture, dating back to the Paleolithic era when early humans used sharp bone or stone objects for sewing. Needles as we know them today were developed in various cultures and have been central to the creation of textiles and garments. Over time, the word 'needle' has expanded to cover various meanings, from a tool for sewing to slang for drug-related paraphernalia.
The Needle and the Thread
Story
The Needle and the Thread
Maria sat at her sewing machine, the rhythmic hum of the needle stitching through the fabric like a heartbeat in the quiet room. She was working on a delicate piece for a high-profile client, but as the needle pulled the thread taut, something went wrong. The needle snapped, a small metallic 'ping' breaking the silence. She cursed under her breath, rummaging through the cluttered desk drawer for a replacement. Her fingers grazed over several old needles before she found a new one, perfect for the fine linen she was working with. Meanwhile, on the streets outside, a different kind of needle was being passed between hands. Jimmy, a young man caught in the cycle of addiction, felt his palms sweat as he looked at the needle, the sharp metal reflecting the dim light of the alley. He had promised himself he would quit today, but the cravings gnawed at him, a persistent itch he couldn’t scratch. He hesitated, the needle pressing coldly against his skin as he tried to make a choice between healing and relapse. Back in the sewing room, Maria focused on the task at hand. She needed to finish this order by tomorrow, but her mind kept drifting. Just earlier, she'd overheard a conversation between her brother and his friend, where the word 'needle' had come up again—not the sewing kind, but the one that haunted her thoughts. Addiction, it seemed, was everywhere. She shook her head, determined to concentrate, and resumed her work, threading the needle once more. But as she sewed, her thoughts turned to Jimmy, and a small, quiet worry tugged at her heart. She wished she could help him as easily as she could mend fabric. In a small way, Maria realized, the needle was a symbol of her life—capable of creating beauty, but also capable of inflicting pain. She worked through the night, the steady movement of the needle offering her some semblance of control in a world that often felt out of her hands.
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