1. [n]  a sharp pointed implement (usually steel)
2. [n]  a slender pointer for indicating the reading on the scale of a measuring instrument
3. [n]  a stylus that formerly made sound by following a groove in a phonograph record
4. [n]  as of a conifer
5. [v]  goad or provoke,as by constant criticism; "He needled her with his sarcastic remarks"
6. [v]  prick with a needle; in sewing or embroidering

1. \Nee"dle\, n. [OE. nedle, AS. n?dl; akin to D. neald, OS.
   n[=a]dla, G. nadel, OHG. n[=a]dal, n[=a]dala, Icel. n[=a]l,
   Sw. n[*a]l, Dan. naal, and also to G. n["a]hen to sew, OHG.
   n[=a]jan, L. nere to spin, Gr. ?, and perh. to E. snare: cf.
   Gael. & Ir. snathad needle, Gael. snath thread, G. schnur
   string, cord.]
   1. A small instrument of steel, sharply pointed at one end,
      with an eye to receive a thread, -- used in sewing.
      --Chaucer.
   
   Note: In some needles(as for sewing machines) the eye is at
         the pointed end, but in ordinary needles it is at the
         blunt end.
   
   2. See {Magnetic needle}, under {Magnetic}.
   
   3. A slender rod or wire used in knitting; a knitting needle;
      also, a hooked instrument which carries the thread or
      twine, and by means of which knots or loops are formed in
      the process of netting, knitting, or crocheting.
   
   4. (Bot.) One of the needle-shaped secondary leaves of pine
      trees. See {Pinus}.
   
   5. Any slender, pointed object, like a needle, as a pointed
      crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc.
   
   {Dipping needle}. See under {Dipping}.
   
   {Needle bar}, the reciprocating bar to which the needle of a
      sewing machine is attached.
   
   {Needle beam} (Arch.), to shoring, the horizontal cross
      timber which goes through the wall or a pier, and upon
      which the weight of the wall rests, when a building is
      shored up to allow of alterations in the lower part.
   
   {Needle furze} (Bot.), a prickly leguminous plant of Western
      Europe; the petty whin ({Genista Anglica}).
   
   {Needle gun}, a firearm loaded at the breech with a cartridge
      carrying its own fulminate, which is exploded by driving a
      slender needle, or pin, into it.
   
   {Needle loom} (Weaving), a loom in which the weft thread is
      carried through the shed by a long eye-pointed needle
      instead of by a shuttle.
   
   {Needle ore} (Min.), acicular bismuth; a sulphide of bismuth,
      lead, and copper occuring in acicular crystals; -- called
      also {aikinite}.
   
   {Needle shell} (Zo["o]l.), a sea urchin.
   
   {Needle spar} (Min.), aragonite.
   
   {Needle telegraph}, a telegraph in which the signals are
      given by the deflections of a magnetic needle to the right
      or to the left of a certain position.
   
   {Sea needle} (Zo["o]l.), the garfish.
   
   

2. \Nee"dle\, v. t.
   To form in the shape of a needle; as, to needle crystals.
   
   

3. \Nee"dle\, v. i.
   To form needles; to crystallize in the form of needles.
   
   

used only in the proverb, "to pass through a needle's eye" (Matt. 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25). Some interpret the expression as referring to the side gate, close to the principal gate, usually called the "eye of a needle" in the East; but it is rather to be taken literally. The Hebrew females were skilled in the use of the needle (Ex. 28:39; 26:36; Judg. 5:30).