awl

¹

[ awl ]

noun

1. a pointed instrument for piercing small holes in leather, wood, etc.

A.W.L.

²

or a.w.l.

abbreviation for

1. absent with leave.

awl

/ ɔːl /

noun

1. See bradawl
   a pointed hand tool with a fluted blade used for piercing wood, leather, etc See also bradawl

Word History and Origins

Origin of awl¹

before 900; Middle English al, eal, aul, Old English al, eal, æl; cognate with Old Norse alr; akin to Middle English ēl, Old English ǣl, Old High German āla ( German Ahle ), Sanskrit ā́rā

Word History and Origins

Origin of awl¹

Old English ǣl; related to Old Norse alr, Old High German āla, Dutch aal, Sanskrit ārā

Example Sentences

Then his master must take him to the door and publicly pierce his ear with an awl.

From The Daily Beast

This second view was given representative voice by Choire Sicha at The Awl.

From The Daily Beast

He regularly contributes essays to The Awl, and is a graduate of both NYU and Columbia University.

From The Daily Beast

Daniel D'Addario is a writer who's contributed to Newsweek, The Awl, Urlesque, and Capital.

From The Daily Beast

Natasha Vargas-Cooper is the Los Angeles correspondent for The Awl.

From The Daily Beast

Really the best method is to make a round denuded spot by twirling a small brad-awl.

From Project Gutenberg

The last act of ownership performed by the master was the piercing of the right ear with an awl.

From Project Gutenberg

Baba Mustapha was seated with an awl in his hand, just going to work.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'll earn 'em," said the cobbler, with a savage dash of his awl which one of his fingers barely escaped.

From Project Gutenberg

The older needlework is of exceptionally good character and shows great skill with the awl.

From Project Gutenberg