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Awl vs Bodkin - What's the difference?

awl | bodkin |

As nouns the difference between awl and bodkin

is that awl is a pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler's awl, shoemaker's awl, etc while bodkin is a small sharp pointed tool for making holes in cloth or leather.

As an adverb bodkin is

closely wedged between two people.

awl

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler's awl, shoemaker's awl, etc.

    • External links

    * (wikipedia "awl")

    Anagrams

    *

    bodkin

    English

    (wikipedia bodkin)

    Alternative forms

    * bodikin, bodkine, botkin, boidken

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • 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.
  • A hairpin.
  • A dagger.
  • * 1603 , , Hamlet , act 3, scene 1:
    • For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
    The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
    The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
    The insolence of office and the spurns
    That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
    When he himself might his quietus make
    With a bare bodkin ?
  • A type of arrowhead.
  • (printing) A sharp tool, like an awl, formerly used for picking up letters from a column or page in making corrections.

    • Adverb

    (-)
  • Closely wedged between two people.
    • to sit''' bodkin; to '''travel bodkin
    (Thackeray)