pincushion

noun

1. A device, originally like a small, stuffed cushion, designed to have sewing pins and needles stuck into it to store them safely; some modern pincushions hold the objects magnetically.

   “Then for womens cloaths, the cabadge of cloath of ſilver, brancht Sattin, and the like, went for pin-cuſhions, pin-pillows, womens purſes; and if black, Church-wardens capes.”

   “Some were condenſing Air into a dry tangible Subſtance, by extracting the Nitre, and letting the aqueous or fluid Particles percolate; others ſoftening Marble for Pillows or Pincuſhions; others petrifying the Hoofs of a living Horſe to preſerve them from foundring.”

   “And if, wiſely, or taught by Experience, ſhe [a prostitute] has ſunk any Part [of the money], by hiding it, ſuppose in a Pincuſhion, ripp'd and ſew'd up again, or in her Hair, [...] and is found out, it muſt be pleaſant enough to hear the conſcientious Pandar exclaiming, and crying Vengeance againſt her, for Perfidiouſneſs, and Breach of Truſt.”

   “From the inn she is taken to the house of the procuress, divested of her home-spun garb, and dressed in the gayest style of the day; her pincushion and scissars discarded for an etwee and watch, and the tender native hue of her complexion incrusted with paint, and disguised by patches.”

2. The names of various plants with flowers or other parts resembling a pincushion.

   “[S]ee how the knowledge of the climate tolerances of one South African shrub, the Saldana pincushion (Leucospermum tomentosum) is integrated with projections of a global circulation model applied to the southern tip of South Africa [...].”

3. The names of various plants with flowers or other parts resembling a pincushion.

   “Scabiosa, often called mourning bride, pincushion flower, and sweet scabious, is an easily grown, old-fashioned, half-hardy annual. It is very attractive and satisfactory both for cutting and for borders and beds.”

4. The names of various plants with flowers or other parts resembling a pincushion.
5. The names of various plants with flowers or other parts resembling a pincushion.

   “An abundant wildflower following good winter rains, Fremont pincushion [Chaenactis fremontii] features heads composed entirely of white or pinkish disk flowers.”

   “Pebble pincushion [Chaenactis carphoclinia], a delicate annual wildflower with deeply divided leaves, has white or pinkish flowers crowded into heads. If the heads resemble pincushions, then the stamens poking out of the flowers must represent the pins.”

6. The names of various plants with flowers or other parts resembling a pincushion.

   “Alverson's pincushion cactus (Coryophantha vivipara var. alversonii), under status review by the USF&WS for possible listing as threatened or endangered, is reported to occur the along the northwest boundary of the WSA.”

7. The names of various plants with flowers or other parts resembling a pincushion.

   “Marigold pincushion [Navarretia tagetina], however, is widespread throughout the region except along the coast. [...] In eastern Sacramento County, it grows together with downy pincushion (Navarretia pubescens) in small clearings in blue oak woodland.”

8. (colloquial, figuratively)A person who is pricked or stabbed multiple times with sharp objects; specifically, someone who receives regular hypodermic needle injections.

   “Insulin-dependent diabetics are human pincushions.”

   “It took an hour to get there, and by the time the job was done we had collected so many cactus thorns that we felt like human pincushions.”

   “Funny thing how her shooting him saved his life. If you hadn't called a quick halt, the cops would have turned him into a human pincushion.”

   “Oh yes, I am truly a pincushion. Probably pierced more frequently than pincushions which don't belong to people who sew for a living. You see, I'm a practicing diabetic. Doctors and other members of my Health Care Team tell me I've got to keep my blood sugar level in the normal range and that in order to do that three insulin shots a day and a minimum of three blood sugar checks each day, are called for. Easy for them to say. I get to be the pincushion.”

   “Some cats can go a little overboard, though. Some drool while kneading, and others become so enthusiastic that they drive their sharp claws into human legs. If your cat is turning you into a pincushion and regular nail clipping sessions aren't making it less painful for you, you can stop this behavior from becoming an unpleasant habit by simply standing up and walking away.”

verb

1. (also, figuratively, transitive)To jab or stick repeatedly with one or more sharp objects, as with pins into a pincushion.

   “The target was pincushioned with arrows.”

   “As I saw Lady Baker hanging round her son's neck, and fondling his scanty ringlets, I remembered the awful stories with which in former days she used to entertain us regarding this reprobate. Her heart was pincushioned with his filial crimes.”

   “Again, the double Lobelia is not to be trusted in a row where uniformity of colour is an object. […] Its place is pin[-]cushioned among such delicate flowers as Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums and Duke of Edinburgh, the grand tufts of flowers having a chaste and charming effect among the beautiful foliage and beautiful flowers of such delicate colours, and the failures being little observed.”

   “Lester and his two boys, Ray and Steve, lay in the ranchyard pincushioned with arrows.”

2. (intransitive)To assume the shape of a pincushion; specifically, of the image on a computer display, television, etc., to exhibit pincushion distortion, where the sides curve inwards.

   “A monitor is pincushioning when the display appears to have curved sides.”

   “[page 42] Flaps, however, ‘pin cushion’ and develop a convex form as they contract. For this reason, flaps are best used to resurface convex surfaces. A skin graft is best for planar or concave recipient sites. [...] [page 282] As the flap contracts, it pin cushions. This trapdoor effect can contribute to a convex shape.”

   “A circular island flap may pin-cushion. This complication can be avoided with proper planning.”