English Explanatory Dictionary

awl

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler's awl, shoemaker's awl, etc.
  2. Any of various hesperiid butterflies.
adj
  1. Alternative form of AWOL (“absent without leave”).

Pronunciation

/ɔːl/ /ɔl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-awl.wav /ɑl/

Word forms

awl awls

Etymology

From Middle English aul, alle, al, from Old English æl, from Proto-West Germanic *al, from Proto-Germanic *alaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ólos. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Äil (“awl”), Dutch aal (“awl”), German Low German Ahl (“awl”), German Ahle (“awl”), Icelandic alur (“awl”). Spelling was influenced by the Old English synonym awel, awul (“awl”), from Proto-West Germanic *ahwal, from Proto-Germanic *ahwalaz (“fork, hook”), of unknown origin. Doublet of elsen.

Derived words

awlbill awlet awl-fly awllike awlwort bradawl
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