plural of awl

Alternative form of AWOL (“absent without leave”)

A pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler's awl, shoemaker's awl, etc.

Any fly in the family Xylophagidae, which resemble ichneumon wasps.