prick Definition
prick (prik)
noun
- a very small puncture or, formerly, dot, made by a sharp point
- Archaic any of various pointed objects, as a thorn, goad, etc.
- pricking
- a sharp pain caused by or as if by being pricked
- Slang, Vulgar the penis
- Slang a person, esp. a man, regarded as contemptible, obnoxious, etc.: mildly vulgar
Etymology: ME prike < OE prica, point, dot, akin to Du prik, MHG pfrecken
transitive verb
- to make (a tiny hole) in (something) with a sharp point
- to cause or feel sharp pain in remorse pricked his conscience
- to mark or trace by dots, points, or punctures
- to pierce (a horse's foot) to the quick in shoeing, causing lameness
- to cause to point or stick up: often with up
- Archaic to spur or urge on; goad; incite
intransitive verb
- to cause or feel a slight, sharp pain
- to have a prickly or stinging sensation; tingle
- to point or stick up: said esp. of ears
- Archaic to spur a horse on; ride fast
adjective
carried stiffly erect: said of a dog's ears
prick Idioms
prick out
to transplant (seedlings) as from seed pans to shallow boxes
prick up one's ears
- to raise the ears with the points upward: said of an animal
- to listen closely
prick Synonyms
prick Synonyms
Browse dictionary entries near prick
- ‹ pricey
- ‹ priceless
- ‹ priced out of the market
- ‹ priced into
- ‹ priced
- ‹ price-weighted index
- ‹ price war
- ‹ price value of a basis point
- ‹ price-to-growth flow
- ‹ price tag
- prick up one's ears ›
- pricker ›
- pricket ›
- pricking ›
- prickle ›
- prickly ›
- prickly ash ›
- prickly heat ›
- prickly pear ›
- prickly poppy ›

