bodkin

Definitions

1. A small sharp pointed tool for making holes in cloth or leather.
2. A surname originating as a patronymic.
3. A blunt needle used for threading ribbon or cord through a hem or casing.
4. A hairpin.
5. A dagger.
6. A type of long thin arrowhead.
7. A sharp tool, like an awl, formerly used for pressing down individual type characters (e.g. letters) from a column or page in making corrections.

Equivalents

Examples

“As with compulsory Sunday worship⟳, death for blasphemy was for the third offence. A bodkin, a large blunt needle, was thrust through the tongue for the second offence.”

“A rich, flushed colour—large black eyes—teeth that shone from their brilliant whiteness—a slender shape⟳—and most minute feet, in such little shoes of Cordova leather—a silver chain round her neck, to which hung a medal of the Madonna—a dark-brown boddice and short skirt, relieved by a lacing of scarlet riband—long black hair, bound in one large plait round the head, and fastened by a silver bodkin.”

“When he himſelfe might his Quietus make⟳ / With a bare Bodkin?”

“And he smote Corinius on his shaven jowl with the dice box, calling him cheat and mangy rascal, whereupon Corinius drew forth a bodkin to smite him in the neck withal; […]”

“And can a man his own⟳ quietus make⟳ / with a bare bodkin? / With daggers, bodkins, bullets, man can make⟳ / a bruise or break⟳ of exit for his life; / but is that a quietus, O tell⟳ me, is it quietus?”

CEFR level