awl
UK: ɔːl | US: ɔːl
n. a small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather or wood
The word "awl" traces back to Old English æl, meaning "a pointed tool." It shares roots with Old Norse alr and Gothic *alhs, all referring to similar piercing instruments. The word has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning across Germanic languages, reflecting its ancient, practical use in crafting. As a compact, monosyllabic tool name, it belongs to the category of core Germanic vocabulary resistant to morphological splitting.
The cobbler used an awl to make holes for the stitches.
Awls were essential tools in ancient woodworking.
She carefully pressed the awl through the thick leather.
Traditional bookbinders still rely on awls for hand-binding.
The archaeologist found a bronze awl at the Iron Age site.