prick ![](images/dict/p/prick.gif)
prick [prick pricks pricked pricking] verb, noun BrE [prɪk] NAmE [prɪk] verb 1. transitive to make a very small hole in sth with a sharp point •~ sth He pricked the balloon and burst it. •~ sth with sth Prick holes in the paper with a pin. 2. transitive ~ sth (on sth) to make a small hole in the skin so that it hurts or blood comes out •She pricked her finger on a needle. 3. intransitive, transitive to make sb feel a slight pain as if they were being pricked •He felt a pricking sensation in his throat. •~ sth Tears pricked her eyes. Verb forms: Word Origin: Old English pricca (noun), prician (verb), probably of West Germanic origin and related to Low German and Dutch prik (noun), prikken (verb). Idioms: ↑prick your conscience ▪ ↑prick your ears ▪ ↑your conscience pricks you noun 1. (taboo, slang)a ↑penis 2. (taboo, slang)an offensive word for a stupid or unpleasant man •Don't be such a prick! 3. an act of making a very small hole in sth with a sharp point •I'm going to give your finger a little prick with this needle. 4. a slight pain caused by a sharp point or sth that feels like a sharp point •You will feel a tiny prick in your arm. • (figurative)He could feel the hot prick of tears in his eyes. •She felt the prick of conscience. Word Origin: Old English pricca (noun), prician (verb), probably of West Germanic origin and related to Low German and Dutch prik (noun), prikken (verb). See also: ↑your ears prick up
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