Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Bodkin
Bod′kin
(bŏd′kĭn)
, Noun.
[OE.
boydekyn
dagger; of uncertain origin; cf. W. bidog
hanger, short sword, Ir. bideog
, Gael. biodag
.] 1.
A dagger.
[Obs.]
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare
With a bare
bodkin
. Shakespeare
2.
(Needlework)
An implement of steel, bone, ivory, etc., with a sharp point, for making holes by piercing; a stiletto; an eyeleteer.
3.
(Print.)
A sharp tool, like an awl, used for picking out letters from a column or page in making corrections.
4.
A kind of needle with a large eye and a blunt point, for drawing tape, ribbon, etc., through a loop or a hem; a tape needle.
Wedged whole ages in a
bodkin’s
eye. Pope.
5.
A kind of pin used by women to fasten the hair.
To sit
, ride
, or travel bodkin
to sit closely wedged between two persons.
[Colloq.]
Thackeray.
Webster 1828 Edition
Bodkin
BOD'KIN
,Noun.
1.
An instrument of steel; bone, ivory or the like, with a small blade, and a sharp point, for making holes by piercing. A like instrument with an eye, for drawing thread, tape, or ribin through a loop, &c. An instrument to dress the hair.2.
A dagger. [Not in use.]