Darner

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈdɑːrnər/

Definitions

• A person who darns or mends fabric, especially repairing holes in clothing.
• A tool used for darning, such as a darning egg or mushroom.
• (Informal) A type of large dragonfly, particularly in North America.

Usage Examples

• "She was an excellent darner, repairing all the family's socks by hand."
• "He used a wooden darner to mend his woolen sweater."
• "The green darner dragonfly hovered above the pond."

Etymology

Derived from the verb "darn," meaning to mend fabric, first recorded in the late 18th century. The dragonfly association comes from its resemblance to a needle in flight.

Synonyms

• Mender, repairer, seamstress (for fabric-related meaning)
• Dragonfly, needlefly (for insect-related meaning)

Antonyms

• Destroyer, ripper (for fabric-related meaning)

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ˈdɑː.nə/
• American English: /ˈdɑːrnər/

Historical Usage

The word "darner" has been used since the 18th century to refer to those skilled in repairing textiles. The insect-related meaning dates back to the 19th century.

Cultural Nuances

Historically, darning was a common household skill, and many families had a designated darner. The term is less commonly used today due to the rise of disposable clothing.

More Information

The green darner (Anax junius) is one of the most well-known dragonflies in North America, named for its needle-like body shape. In literature, "darner" is often used metaphorically to describe menders of broken things.