ago

needle

noun AH-goh Rare

Origin: From Latin acus (needle, pin); the accusative form acum evolved into Italian ago.

Also means

hand (of a clock)

Usage Note

Ago has an irregular plural: gli aghi (not agi). It refers to a sewing needle, a hypodermic needle (ago ipodermico), or the hand of a clock/compass. The idiom cercare un ago in un pagliaio (to look for a needle in a haystack) is common. Do not confuse with amo (fishhook) or spillo (pin, brooch-pin).

Examples

"Ho perso l'ago mentre cucivo la camicia."

Natural Translation

I lost the needle while sewing the shirt.

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