Bodkin Meaning in English
word
Definition
A bodkin is a small, thin, blunt needle or tool used for threading tape, ribbon, or cord through a hem or fabric, or sometimes for making holes in cloth or leather.
Usage & Nuances
'Bodkin' is rare in everyday speech, mostly seen in sewing or historical contexts. It's not used for sharp needles; it's typically blunt. Also used in literature (e.g., Shakespeare) to mean a dagger or pointed instrument.
Example Sentences
She used a bodkin to thread the ribbon through the waistband.
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A bodkin is helpful for pulling elastic through fabric.
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You can make small holes with a bodkin in leather.
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I lost my bodkin again—now I have to use a safety pin instead.
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My grandma showed me how to use a bodkin for threading elastic when making masks.
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Back in Shakespeare's day, 'bare bodkin' even meant a dagger!
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