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bod·kin

(bŏdkĭn)

1. A small, sharply pointed instrument for making holes in fabric or leather.

2. A blunt needle for pulling tape or ribbon through a series of loops or a hem.

3. A long hairpin, usually with an ornamental head.

4. Printing An awl or pick for extracting letters from set type.

5. A dagger or stiletto.

[Middle English boidekin, of unknown origin.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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