[W3 different sp.; cf. DAE Spanish needle idem; from needle-like seeds which cling to clothing] n. 1. a plant, Bidens sp.: 1889 Bidens bipinnata (Gardner 388). 1971 B. pilosa (Rabley 29). 1977 B. leucantha (Patterson 121). 1895 Shook all de shep'erd needles out o' de bag (Edwards 90). = DUPPY NEEDLE, SEARCH-ING NEEDLE <Gen.>

2. a style of plaiting STRAW. <Andros>