English

Noun

aiguille ‎(plural aiguilles)

1. A needle-shaped peak. [from 19th c.]
   • 1818, Mary Shelley, Frankenstein:

     Mont Blanc, the supreme and magnificent Mont Blanc, raised itself from the surrounding aiguilles, and its tremendous dome overlooked the valley.

2. An instrument for boring holes, used in blasting.

Related terms

• aglet

French

Alternative forms

• (obsolete) aguille

Etymology

From Old French [Term?], from Vulgar Latin *acūcla < *acūcula, diminutive of Latin acus ‎(“needle”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /e.ɡɥij/, /ɛ.ɡɥij/

Noun

aiguille f ‎(plural aiguilles)

1. (botany, costumery, medicine) needle
2. needle (of compass); hand (of watch); spire (of church)
3. (railway) point (UK), switch (US)

Derived terms

• aiguillette, aiglet
• de fil en aiguille ("one thing leading to another")

Descendants

• aglet

See also

• épingle f

Verb

aiguille

1. first-person singular present indicative of aiguiller
2. third-person singular present indicative of aiguiller
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of aiguiller
4. first-person singular present subjunctive of aiguiller
5. second-person singular imperative of aiguiller