devil's darning needle
The term "devil's darning needle" is rooted in folklore and is used to refer to certain slender, winged insects.
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Definition
B2Colloquial
(informal)A common name for a dragonfly, often characterized by its long, slender body and iridescent wings.
Example
- Children often call dragonflies 'devil's darning needles' because of their swift, darting flight.
C1Entomology
(technical)A term used to describe a cranefly, which is a long-legged insect resembling a large mosquito.
Example
- The cranefly, sometimes called a 'devil's darning needle,' is harmless despite its intimidating appearance.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "devil's darning needle":
darning needledevil's nettlesewing needleshepherd's needledevil's walking stickdevil's cottondevil's paintbrushdevil's fingerdevil's bitthread the needle