Etching needle

A finely-pointed steel instrument, used by etchers for tracing out lines, ., on a metallic plate. Eteocles, (e-te'o-klees,) a son of Edipus and Jocasta. After his father's death, it was agreed between him and his brother Polynices, that they should both share the royalty, and each reign alternately a year. E. , by right of seniority, first ascended the throne; but after the first year of his reign he refused to resign in favor of his brother. Polynices resolved to punish him, and for this purpose sought the a istance of his father-in-law, Adrastus, king of Argos, who a isted him with a large army. War commencing, and having been carried on with various succe for some time, it was at last decided by the two brothers, that they should end their dispute by engaging in single combat. They both fell, and it is said that their ashes separated themselves on the burning pile, as if sensible of resentment, and hostile to reconciliation.