Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word bodkin. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word bodkin, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say bodkin in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word bodkin you have here. The definition of the word bodkin will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofbodkin, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
A small sharp pointed tool for making holes in cloth or leather.
A blunt needle used for threading ribbon or cord through a hem or casing.
2017, Barry R. Harker, It’s Sunday in America, →ISBN:
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.
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?
(printing) 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.
1904, Elizabeth von Arnim, The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rügen, MacMillan, published 1904:
Either he must come between us and be what is known as bodkin, or some one must get out and walk; and the bodkin solution not commending itself to me it was plain that if some one walked it must be myself.
2018, Delphi Complete Works of R. S. Surtees (Illustrated)
Moreover, Mr. Jorrocks insisted upon riding bodkin — a very awkward-sized bodkin he was — especially as he would have all three to sit back, so that the conversation might be general.
