needle (EN)

noun, verb

noun “needle”

1. a small, thin, sharp implement used for sewing, embroidery, or medical procedures like injections or drawing blood
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   The doctor used a sterile needle to give him a vaccine.
2. a very thin, pointed leaf of certain trees like pines and firs
   The forest floor was covered in pine needles.
3. a thin pointer on a dial or instrument, indicating a measurement
   The compass needle always points north.
4. (informal) the stylus used to play records on a turntable
   He carefully placed the needle on the vinyl record.
5. (programming) a piece of text that is being searched for within a larger body of text
   The function search(text, needle, haystack) has three parameters.
6. (informal, the needle) execution by lethal injection
   The criminal was sentenced to die by the needle.

verb “needle”

1. to pierce or prick with or as if with a needle
   The acupuncturist needled specific points on her back to relieve pain.
2. to provoke or annoy someone by persistent criticism or teasing
   She kept needling him about his tardiness until he apologized.
3. to form into a thin, needle-like shape
   The ice crystals needled together on the windowpane overnight.