prick Definition

prick
verb pricked, pricking

1. To pierce slightly with a fine point.

Thesaurus: stab, pierce, puncture, sting, jab, bite, nip, punch, perforate, penetrate.
2. To make (a hole) by this means.
tr & intr
3. To hurt something or someone by this means.
tr & intr
4. To smart or make something smart.

Example: feel one's eyes pricking
tr & intr
5a. Said of a dog, horse, etc: to stick (its ears) upright in response to sound;

Form: prick up (also)
tr & intr
5b. Said of a dog's, etc ears: to stand erect in this way.

Form: prick up (also)
6. To mark out (a pattern) in punctured holes.
7. To trouble.

Example: His conscience must be pricking him
Thesaurus: trouble, pain, stimulate.
8. To plant (seedlings, etc) in an area of soil that had had small holes marked out on it.

noun

1. An act of pricking or feeling of being pricked.

Thesaurus: perforation, puncture, pang, tap, stab, wound, probing.
2. The pain of this.
3. A puncture made by pricking.
4. slang
The penis.
5. derog, slang
An abusive term for a man, especially a self-important fool.

Idiom: kick against the pricks

To react in vain against discipline or authority.

Idiom: prick up one's ears

colloq
To start listening attentively.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon prica point.