Awl
/ɔːl/noun
A small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather, wood, or other materials.
Did you know?Awl ultimately belongs to an ancient Indo-European family centered on sharpness and piercing, linking a humble craft tool to Latin acus, “needle.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eḱ-
“To be sharp, pointed, or pierce”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*awilō
“An awl or pointed piercing tool”
Old English
Old English
æwel / awel
“An awl; a pointed instrument for making holes”
Middle English
Middle English
awel / al
“A pointed tool for piercing leather or similar materials”
Modern English
English
awl
“A pointed hand tool used to pierce materials”