I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: pin (I) + prick, n.
1. : a small puncture made by or as if by a pin
2. : a petty irritation or annoyance ; specifically : a small, irritating, and antagonistic action or statement that is often repeated for the purpose of annoying
the action was viewed as another pinprick — Walter Sullivan
II. transitive verb
: to administer pinpricks to
pinpricked and heckled the socialist leaders — John Gunther
intransitive verb
: to administer pinpricks