'Darning last' definitions:
Definition of 'Darning last'
From: GCIDE
- Last \Last\, n. [AS. l[=a]st trace, track, footstep; akin to D. leest a last, G. leisten, Sw. l[aum]st, Dan. l[ae]st, Icel. leistr the foot below the ankle, Goth. laists track, way; from a root signifying, to go. Cf. Last, v. i., Learn, Delirium.] A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots and shoes are formed. [1913 Webster]
- The cobbler is not to go beyond his last. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]
- Darning last, a smooth, hard body, often egg-shaped, put into a stocking to preserve its shape in darning. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Darning last'
From: GCIDE
- Darn \Darn\ (d[aum]rn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Darned (d[aum]rnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Darning.] [OE. derne, prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. darnio to piece, break in pieces, W. & Arm. to E. tear. Cf. Tear, v. t.] To mend as a rent or hole, with interlacing stitches of yarn or thread by means of a needle; to sew together with yarn or thread. [1913 Webster]
- He spent every day ten hours in his closet, in darning his stockings. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
- Darning last. See under Last.
- Darning needle. (a) A long, strong needle for mending holes or rents, especially in stockings. (b) (Zool.) Any species of dragon fly, having a long, cylindrical body, resembling a needle. These flies are harmless and without stings.
- Note: [In this sense, usually written with a hyphen.] Called also devil's darning-needle. [1913 Webster]