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   prick

   /prɪk/

   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
   • ▪ provoke to action: "the police were pricked into action by the horrifying sight" Similar goadprodinciteprovokeurgespurstingwhippromptstimulateencourageinspiremotivatepushpropelimpel
   • 2. (especially of a horse or dog) make (the ears) stand erect when on the alert: "the dog's ears were pricked" Similar raiseerectpoint

   noun

   • 1. an act of piercing something with a sharp point: "the pin prick had produced a drop of blood"
   • ▪ a small hole or mark made by pricking something. Similar holepunctureperforationpinholenickwoundcutgash
   • ▪ a sharp pain caused by being pierced with a sharp point: "he felt a tiny prick in his arm" Similar jabstingpinprickstabnickjag
   • ▪ a sudden feeling of an unpleasant emotion: "she felt a prick of resentment" Similar pangprickingtwingestabgnawing
   • 2. a man's penis. vulgar slang
   • ▪ a stupid or contemptible man.
   • 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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