1. Plural of aiguille; sharp, needle-like peaks of rock or ice, especially in mountainous regions.
Usage: Chiefly used in geology and mountaineering contexts; French origin; often used in English when describing Alpine formations
2. Plural of aiguille; ornamental needle-like brooches or pins, historically used in jewelry.
Usage: Archaic or specialized fashion/jewelry term

Examples

• The climbers navigated carefully among the jagged aiguilles of the Mont Blanc massif.
• The granite aiguilles rose dramatically from the valley floor.
• Alpine aiguilles are formed by glacial erosion over thousands of years.
• The mountaineer's guide pointed out several dangerous aiguilles along the ridge.
• These needle-like aiguilles create some of the most challenging climbing routes in the Alps.