darn

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Darned p. pr. & vb. n. Darning. ] [ OE. derne, prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. darnio to piece, break in pieces, W. & Arm. to E. tear. Cf. Tear, v. t. ] To mend as a rent or hole, with interlacing stitches of yarn or thread by means of a needle; to sew together with yarn or thread. [ 1913 Webster ]

He spent every day ten hours in his closet, in darning his stockings. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Darning last. See under Last. --
Darning needle. (a) A long, strong needle for mending holes or rents, especially in stockings. (b) (Zool.) Any species of dragon fly, having a long, cylindrical body, resembling a needle. These flies are harmless and without stings. [ In this sense, usually written with a hyphen. ] Called also devil's darning-needle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. A colloquial euphemism for Damn. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. an intensifying expletive; a eupehmism for damned; as, for no darned reason at all.
Syn. -- blasted, blessed, damn, damned, deuced, goddam, goddamn, goddamned, gosh-darned. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ OE. darnel, dernel, of uncertain origin; cf. dial. F. darnelle, Sw. dår-repe; perh. named from a supposed intoxicating quality of the plant, and akin to Sw. dåra to infatuate, OD. door foolish, G. thor fool, and Ee. dizzy. ] (Bot.) Any grass of the genus Lolium, esp. the Lolium temulentum (bearded darnel), the grains of which have been reputed poisonous. Other species, as Lolium perenne (rye grass or ray grass), and its variety Lolium Italicum (Italian rye grass), are highly esteemed for pasture and for making hay. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Under darnel our early herbalists comprehended all kinds of cornfield weeds. Dr. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who mends by darning.