Awl

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ɔːl/
• US IPA: /ɔːl, IPA: /É’l/, IPA: /É‘l/
• Rhymes: -ɔːl

Origin

Middle English aul, alle, al, from Old English æl, from Proto-Germanic *ēlō (compare East Frisian älst, Dutch aal, German Ahle), from Proto-Indo-European *Hóleh₂ (compare Khotanese aiysna, Sanskrit अरा)

Full definition of awl

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.

Anagrams

• law, Law