prick

¹prick

noun \ˈprik\

Definition of PRICK

1

: a mark or shallow hole made by a pointed instrument

2

a : a pointed instrument or weapon

b : a sharp projecting organ or part

3

: an instance of pricking or the sensation of being pricked: as

a : a nagging or sharp feeling of remorse, regret, or sorrow

b : a slight sharply localized discomfort <the prick of a needle>

4

usually vulgar : penis

5

usually vulgar : a spiteful or contemptible man often having some authority

Examples of PRICK

1. She felt a prick as the thorn jabbed her foot.
2. He felt the prick of the needle.
3. She felt a prick of jealousy.

Origin of PRICK

Middle English prikke, from Old English prica; akin to Middle Dutch pric prick

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to PRICK

Synonyms

perforation, pinhole, pinprick, punch, puncture, stab

Related Words

gouge, groove, hollow; break, cut, gash, incision, laceration, notch, rent, rip, rupture, slash, slit, tear

Near Antonyms

comfort, ease, easiness

Rhymes with PRICK

brick, chick, click, crick, creek, Dick, flick, Frick, hick, kick, KWIC, lick, mick, nick, pic, pick, quick, rick, Schick, shtick, sic, sick, slick, snick, stick, thick, tic, tick, trick, wick

²prick

verb

Definition of PRICK

transitive verb

1

: to pierce slightly with a sharp point

2

: to affect with anguish, grief, or remorse <doubt began to prick him — Philip Hale>

3

: to ride, guide, or urge on with or as if with spurs : goad

4

: to mark, distinguish, or note by means of a small mark

5

: to trace or outline with punctures

6

: to remove (a young seedling) from the seedbed to another suitable for further growth —usually used with out

7

: to cause to be or stand erect <a dog pricking its ears>

intransitive verb

1

a : to prick something or cause a pricking sensation

b : to feel discomfort as if from being pricked

2

a : to urge a horse with the spur

b : to ride fast

3

: thrust

4

: to become directed upward : point

— prick up one's ears

: to listen intently

Examples of PRICK

1. The nurse pricked my finger and squeezed out a drop of blood.
2. The sharp shells pricked the bottoms of our feet.
3. She was pricked by doubt.

First Known Use of PRICK

before 12th century