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   Prick

   /prik/

   

   verb

   • 1. make a small hole in (something) with a sharp point; pierce slightly: "prick the potatoes with a fork" Similar piercepuncturemake/put a hole instabperforateruptureriddlepenetratenickspearslitinciseknifeborespikeskewerspitstickpunchpinneedlejagjabrare:pinktranspierce
   • ▪ feel a sensation as though a sharp point were sticking into one: "she felt her scalp prick and her palms were damp" Similar stingsmartburntingleprickleitchhurtbe sorebe irritated
   • ▪ (of tears) cause the sensation of imminent weeping in (a person's eyes): "tears of disappointment were pricking her eyelids" Similar stingsmartburntingleprickleitchhurtbe sorebe irritated
   • ▪ cause mental or emotional discomfort to: "her conscience pricked her as she told the lie" Similar troubleworrydistresscause someone distressperturbdisturboppressharrowharasscause someone anguishafflicttormentplagueprey ongnaw atcuttouchstabpaincause someone pain
   • ▪ arouse or provoke to action: "the police were pricked into action" Similar goadprodinciteprovokeurgespurstingwhippromptstimulateencourageinspiremotivatepushpropelimpel
   • 2. (especially of a horse or dog) make (the ears) stand erect when on the alert: "the dog's tail was wagging and her ears were pricked" Similar raiseerectpoint

   noun

   • 1. an act of piercing something with a fine, sharp point: "the pin prick had produced a drop of blood"
   • ▪ a small hole or mark made by piercing something with a fine, sharp point. Similar holepunctureperforationpinholenickwoundcutgash
   • ▪ a sharp pain caused by being pierced with a fine point: "he felt a tiny prick in his arm" Similar jabstingpinprickstabnickjag
   • ▪ a sudden feeling of distress, anxiety, or some other unpleasant emotion: "she felt a prick of resentment" Similar pangprickingtwingestabgnawing
   • 2. a penis. vulgar slang
   • ▪ a man regarded as stupid, unpleasant, or contemptible.
   • 3. a spiked stick used for driving oxen. archaic

   Word Origin Old Englishpricca (noun), prician (verb), probably of West Germanic origin and related to Low German and Dutch prik (noun), prikken (verb).

   Derivatives

   • 1. pricker noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

   • K

     5

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