bodkin

n. [ OE. boydekyn dagger; of uncertain origin; cf. W. bidog hanger, short sword, Ir. bideog, Gael. biodag. ] 1. A dagger. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Needlework) An implement of steel, bone, ivory, etc., with a sharp point, for making holes by piercing; a stiletto; an eyeleteer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Print.) A sharp tool, like an awl, used for picking out letters from a column or page in making corrections. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A kind of needle with a large eye and a blunt point, for drawing tape, ribbon, etc., through a loop or a hem; a tape needle. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wedged whole ages in a bodkin's eye. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A kind of pin used by women to fasten the hair. [ 1913 Webster ]

To sit,
ride, or
travel bodkin, to sit closely wedged between two persons. [ Colloq. ] Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]