n. [ OE. aul, awel, al, AS. &aemacr_;l, awel; akin to Icel. alr, OHG. āla, G. ahle, Lith. yla, Skr. ārā. ] 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
a.
n. The quality of being awless. [ 1913 Webster ]
a.
n. [ Awl + wort. ] (Bot.) A plant (Subularia aquatica), with awl-shaped leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]