different between needle vs haystack

English

Etymology

From Middle English nedle, from Old English n?dl, from Proto-West Germanic *n?þlu, from Proto-Germanic *n?þl?, from pre-Germanic *neh?-tleh?, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh?- (“to spin, twist”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?ni?.dl/
• Rhymes: -i?d?l

Noun

needle (plural needles)

1. A fine, sharp implement usually for piercing such as sewing, or knitting, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections, etc.

2. Any slender, pointed object resembling a needle, such as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc.
3. A fine measurement indicator on a dial or graph, e.g. a compass needle.

4. A sensor for playing phonograph records, a phonograph stylus.

5. A needle-like leaf found on some conifers.
6. A strong beam resting on props, used as a temporary support during building repairs.
7. (informal, usually preceded by the) The death penalty carried out by lethal injection.
8. (programming) A text string that is searched for within another string. (see: needle in a haystack)
9. (entomology) Any of various species of damselfly of the genus Synlestes, endemic to Australia.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• acerate
• eye
• pin

Verb

needle (third-person singular simple present needles, present participle needling, simple past and past participle needled)

1. To pierce with a needle, especially for sewing or acupuncture.
   • 1892, H. Lindo Ferguson, "Operation on Microphthamlmic Eyes", Ophthalmic Review, volume 11, page 48

     […] the eyes were once more beginning to show the old nystagmus; so I decided to needle the cataracts, and on Jan. 31 I needled the right eye.

   • 2000, Felix Mann, Reinventing Acupuncture, page 109

     Possibly the greatest effect is achieved in the hand by needling the thumb, the index finger and the region of the 1st and 2nd metacarpal.

2. (transitive) To tease in order to provoke; to poke fun at.

   Billy needled his sister incessantly about her pimples.

   • 1984, Leopold Caligor, Philip M. Bromberg, & James D. Meltzer, Clinical Perspectives on the Supervision of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, page 14

     FRED: Well, I teased her to some extent, or I needled her, not teased her. I needled her about—first I said that she didn't want to work, and then I think that there were a couple of comments.

   • 2015 Carl Gleba, "Megaverse in Flames", Rifts World Book 35

     To needle Lady Leviathan, Hel has convinced her husband to agree to the heartful offer.

3. (transitive, intransitive) To form, or be formed, in the shape of a needle.

   to needle crystals

Synonyms

• (to tease): goad, tease

Translations

Anagrams

• Edelen, ledene, lendee

English

Etymology

From Middle English haystak, haystake, hey stak, equivalent to hay +? stack.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?he??stæk/

Noun

haystack (plural haystacks)

1. A mound, pile, or stack of stored hay.
2. (canoeing) A standing wave in a rapid.
3. (programming) The text string within which another string is searched for. (see: needle in a haystack)
4. A dish composed of a starchy food (rice, tortillas, crackers, etc.) topped by a protein (beans, cheese, meat, etc.) in combination with fresh vegetables, assembled on the plate by the diner.

Synonyms

• (pile of stored hay): hayrick, wynd

Derived terms

• Hawaiian haystack
• needle in a haystack

Translations