devil's darning needle
- noun
- /ˈdɛvəlz ˈdɑrnɪŋ ˈnidəl/
:
libélula
- The children watched a devil's darning needle hovering above the pond, catching small insects in the air.
Examples
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Many people are fascinated by the shimmering wings of the devil's darning needle in summer.
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The children watched a devil's darning needle hover above the pond.
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Folklore warns of the devil's darning needle, but it is harmless to humans.
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Look at that devil's darning needle hovering over the pond!
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The devil's darning needle is known for its swift flight.
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Many people are fascinated by the shimmering wings of the devil's darning needle, especially when it dances around flowers.
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In the warm summer evenings, you can often see a devil's darning needle flying near the water's edge.
Synonyms
15
1.4
A fast insect with a long thin body and two pairs of clear wings held out when resting
1
6.8
A large slender insect with shiny wings that eats mosquitoes
A long thin insect with bright wings that eats mosquitoes and does not sting
A slender insect with bright shiny wings that eats mosquitoes and small insects
A long thin insect with clear wings that eats mosquitoes near water
A long, thin insect with bright, shiny wings that eats mosquitoes
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'dragonfly' is not transparently built from 'devil's' (demonic), 'darning' (sewing/mending) and 'needle' (sharp implement); the phrase is a folkloric or conventional name rather than a literal description. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not reliably infer it refers to a specific insect, so the expression is idiomatic and unpredictable.
Etymology
Devil's darning needle for the dragonfly comes from its long, thin, needle-like body that looks like a darning needle, and from old tales that it could 'sew' shut mouths or eyes; that strong image is why people called the insect that.