Definition of "needle-beam" [needle-beam]

• A transverse floor-beam of a bridge, resting, according to the construction of the bridge, on the chord or the girders; also, a crosspiece in a queen-post truss, serving to support a floor. (noun)
• In car-building, a transverse timber placed between the bolsters, beneath the longitudinal sills and floor-timbers, to which it is bolted. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "He was fast, faster than was reasonable, but he couldn't outrun a needle-beam."
• "Rhodan reached into the pocket of his suit and took out a small needle-beam raygun."
• "A minute's work with needle-beam, tractors, and pressor sufficed to cut the two smaller ships apart and to dispose of the Nhalian's magnets and cables."