n. 25B6; verb
prick the potatoes with a fork : PIERCE, puncture, make/put a hole in, stab, perforate, nick, jab.
his eyes began to prick : STING, smart, burn, prickle.
his conscience pricked him : TROUBLE, worry, distress, perturb, disturb, cause someone anguish, afflict, torment, plague, prey on, gnaw at.
ambition pricked him on to greater effort : GOAD, prod, incite, provoke, urge, spur, stimulate, encourage, inspire, motivate, push, propel, impel.
the horse pricked up its ears : RAISE, erect.
25B6; noun
a prick in the leg : JAB, sting, pinprick, stab.
the prick of tears behind her eyelids : STING, stinging, smart, smarting, burning.
the prick of conscience : PANG, twinge, stab.
25A0; prick up one's ears LISTEN CAREFULLY, pay attention, become attentive, begin to take notice, attend; informal be all ears; poetic/literary hark.