sewing needle
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A slender-bodied insect with iridescent wings that are held outstretched when at rest; both adult and immature forms feed on insects like mosquitoes. This meaning refers to a type of damselfly.
- A needle used in the craft of sewing to pull thread through fabric. This is a hand tool, typically a thin piece of metal with a pointed end and an eye for holding thread.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Insect):
- A sewing needle darted over the surface of the pond.
- The children watched the iridescent sewing needle hunt for mosquitoes.
Noun (Tool):
- She threaded the sewing needle with blue thread.
- Be careful not to lose the sewing needle in the fabric.
Advanced Usage
- The term "sewing needle" for the insect is primarily used in specific regional or historical contexts. In modern entomology, the more common general term is "damselfly."
- In crafting, the phrase "eye of the sewing needle" specifically refers to the small hole at the top of the needle through which thread is passed.
Variants and Related Words
- Damselfly (n): The more common scientific/biological term for the insect referred to as a "sewing needle."
- Darning needle (n): A regional name that can refer to the same insect or to a longer, thicker needle used for mending fabric.
- Hand needle (n): A general category that includes sewing needles.
Synonyms
- For the insect: Damselfly, darning needle (regional).
- For the tool: Hand needle, sharps (a type of sewing needle).
Related Phrases
- Thread a needle: The action of passing thread through the eye of a sewing needle.
- She found it difficult to thread the needle without her glasses.
- Needle and thread: A common pairing referring to the basic tools for sewing.
- All you need for a simple repair is a needle and thread.
Notes on Meaning
This is a compound noun with two distinct and unrelated meanings (an insect and a tool). The correct meaning is determined entirely by the context in which it is used. There is no direct idiomatic use of the full compound term "sewing needle."
Noun
- slender-bodied non-stinging insect having iridescent wings that are outspread at rest; adults and nymphs feed on mosquitoes etc.
- a needle used in sewing to pull thread through cloth