needlework

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the art or activity of sewing, embroidery, or other work done with a needle, especially by hand

   She learned needlework by embroidering a simple floral sampler.

2. 2
   noun

   an object or decorative design produced by sewing or embroidery

   The museum displayed fine needlework from several textile traditions.

A compound of needle + work, attested in Middle English as nedle werk. Both elements are inherited Germanic words, from Old English naedl and weorc; the compound has long covered both the activity and what that activity produces.

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