Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Prick·le

   /ˈprik(ə)l/

   

   noun

   • 1. a short, slender, sharp-pointed outgrowth on the bark or epidermis of a plant; a small thorn: "the prickles of the blackberry bushes" Similar thornneedlebarbspikepointspinequillspurbristleprongtinetechnical:spicule
   • ▪ a small spine or pointed outgrowth on the skin of certain animals.
   • ▪ a tingling sensation on someone's skin, typically caused by strong emotion: "Kathleen felt a prickle of excitement" Similar tingletingling sensationtinglingprickling sensationchillthrillitchingcreeping sensationgoosebumpsgoose pimplespins and needlesparesthesiarare:formication

   verb

   • 1. (of a person's skin or a part of the body) experience a tingling sensation, especially as a result of strong emotion: "the sound made her skin prickle with horror" Similar tingleitchhave a creeping sensationhave goose pimpleshave goosefleshhave goosebumpshave pins and needles
   • ▪ cause a tingling or mildly painful sensation in: "I hate the way the fibers prickle your skin" Similar make something tinglemake something smartmake something itchstingprick
   • ▪ (of a person) react defensively or angrily to something: "she prickled at the implication that she had led a soft and protected life"

   Word Origin Old Englishpricel ‘instrument for pricking, sensation of being pricked’; related to Middle Dutch prickel, from the Germanic base of prick. The verb is partly a diminutive of the verb prick.

   Scrabble Points: 15

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

   • K

     5

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less