Etymology Dictionary

NEEDLE,  a sharp pointed steel implement, for sewing with.  (E.)   M.E. nedle, nedel, also spelt nelde, neelde; P. Plowman, C. xx. 56, and various readings.—A.S. nǽdl, Grein, ii. 274. + Du. naald (for naadl), + Icel. nál (by contraction). + Dan. naal. + Swed. nål. + G. nadel, O.H.G. nádela. + Goth. nethla.   β. The Teut. type is NA-THLA (Fick, iii. 156), from a base NA, to sew, fasten with thread, preserved in O.H.G. náhen, G. nähen, to sew, and also in Lat. nere, Gk. νήθειν, νέειν, to spin.   The suffix = Aryan -tar, denoting the agent.   γ. This is clearly one of the rather numerous cases in which an initial s has dropped off; the orig. root is ✔SNA, prob. to bind; see Curtius, i. 393.   The initial s appears in Irish snathad, a needle, snathaim, I thread, or string together, snaidhe, thread, Gael. snathad, a needle, snath, thread, yarn; also G. schnur, a noose, and E. snare.   From the same root is nerve.   See Nerve, Snare.   Der. needle-book, -ful, -gun, -woman, -work.