bradawl

English

A blue bradawl

Etymology

brad +‎ awl

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɹædɔːl/

Noun

bradawl (plural bradawls)

1. An awl with a blade similar to a small, straight screwdriver; used for making holes, especially in wood to take screws.
   • 1836, Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers 36:

     ‘I wish I wos behind him vith a bradawl,’ muttered the long one.

   • 2016 January 30, Jeff Howell, “Swinging doors: it's not open and shut”, in The Daily Telegraph (Property), page 15:

     For the first adjustment [to a door that keeps swinging open], you might need to remove the screws from the frame, move the hinge slightly, and then make new screw holes with a bradawl and reinsert the screws.

Translations

A tool used for making holes

• Portuguese: bradal m