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bodkin

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Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A bodkin is a small pointed tool used for piercing fabric or leather, or a blunt needle used for threading tape or cord.

Detailed Definition
A bodkin has taken several forms, from a sharp awl-like implement to a broad, blunt needle for drawing ribbon, elastic, or cord through a hem or casing. Historically the word could also denote a hairpin or small dagger. Its literary resonance is therefore unusually rich: it may belong to sewing, dress, domestic work, ornament, or concealed violence. In poetry its slender point can suggest delicacy, secrecy, penetration, and the dangerous nearness of decorative and lethal objects.
Example
Example in poetry:
She drew the ribbon through the hem with a silver bodkin; In older poetry, a bodkin may suggest sewing, ornament, or a small concealed weapon; The bodkin's narrow point becomes an image of a sharp and persistent thought; A poet might contrast the delicacy of embroidery with the bodkin's power to pierce.
Additional Notes
A bodkin may be sharp enough to pierce fabric or leather, or blunt and broad enough to draw ribbon or cord through a casing. Historically, the word has also referred to a hairpin or small dagger, giving it useful ambiguity in older poetry. It can therefore belong to sewing, clothing, ornament, secrecy, or violence. Its narrow shape makes it suitable for metaphors of piercing thoughts and concealed danger. Related terms include awl, needle, stitching awl, pin, dagger, embroidery, threading, dress, penetration, delicacy, and domestic craft.
Other Meanings of “bodkin”
Also Known As
tape needle threading needle lacing needle
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