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Webster 1913 Edition


Touch-needle

Touch′-neeˊdle

,
Noun.
(Metal.)
A small bar of gold and silver, either pure, or alloyed in some known proportion with copper, for trying the purity of articles of gold or silver by comparison of the streaks made by the article and the bar on a touchstone.

Webster 1828 Edition


Touch-needle

TOUCH-NEEDLE

,
Noun.
tuch'-needle. [touch and needle.] Touch-needles are small bars of gold, silver and copper, each pure and in all proportions, prepared for trying gold and silver by the touchstone, by comparison with the mark they leave upon it.

Definition 2024


touch-needle

touch-needle

English

Noun

touch-needle (plural touch-needles)

  1. A small bar of gold and silver, either pure, or alloyed in some known proportion with copper, for testing the purity of gold or silver articles by comparison of the streaks made by the article and the bar on a touchstone.