1. A sharp pointed implement (usually steel)
   "The seamstress threaded the needle before beginning her embroidery"
    
2. A slender pointer for indicating the reading on the scale of a measuring instrument
   "The speedometer needle slowly crept up as the car accelerated"
    
3. A stylus that formerly made sound by following a groove in a phonograph record
   "He replaced the worn phonograph needle to improve the sound quality";
   - phonograph needle
    
4. The leaf of a conifer
   "Pine trees have long, thin acerate leaves called needles";
   - acerate leaf
    
5. A hollow needle used for injecting or withdrawing fluids from the body
   "The nurse prepared the hypodermic needle for the vaccination";
   - hypodermic needle

1. Annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism
   "He needled her with his sarcastic remarks";
   - goad
    
2. (sewing) prick with a needle
   "She accidentally needled her finger while sewing the button"

Derived forms: needling, needles, needled

Type of: beset, chevvy [non-standard], chevy [Brit, archaic], chivvy [Brit], chivy [Brit], harass, harry, hassle [informal], implement, molest, plague, pointer, prick, prickle, provoke, simple leaf, stylus

Part of: hypo, hypodermic, hypodermic syringe

Encyclopedia: Needle, Thread and Knot