bodkin

• Nom désignant un petit outil pointu servant à percer des trous dans le cuir ou le tissu, ou une aiguille émoussée pour enfiler un ruban dans des passants ; historiquement aussi un poignard fin ou une longue épingle décorative pour les cheveux.

A noun referring to a small, sharp-pointed tool used for punching holes in leather or fabric, or a blunt needle for threading ribbon through loops; historically also a slender dagger or a long ornamental hairpin.

1. C2formal

   A slender, pointed dagger or stabbing weapon.

   Dague (poignard effilé)

   • The assassin concealed a bodkin beneath his cloak.
   • Medieval warriors sometimes carried a bodkin for close combat.
   • The museum displayed an ornate bodkin from the 16th century.

   Synonymesbladedirkponiardstiletto

2. C2formalbritish

   A long ornamental hairpin, historically used to secure hair.

   Épingle à cheveux décorative

   • She wore a silver bodkin in her hair.
   • The antique bodkin was decorated with pearls.
   • Victorian ladies often used a bodkin to style their hair.

   Synonymeshairpinpin

3. Punching toolC2formal

   A small, sharp tool used for making holes in leather, fabric, or other materials.

   Emporte-pièce ou poinçon

   • The tailor used a bodkin to punch holes in the leather belt.
   • A bodkin is essential for creating eyelets in corsets.
   • She carefully pushed the bodkin through the thick fabric.

   Synonymesawlprickerpunch

4. C2formal

   A blunt needle used for threading ribbon, elastic, or cord through loops or casings.

   Aiguille à passementerie

   • Use a bodkin to thread the elastic through the waistband.
   • The seamstress inserted the ribbon with a bodkin.
   • A bodkin makes it easy to pull drawstrings through hoods.

   Synonymesthreader