■ noun
1》 a short spine or pointed outgrowth on the surface of a plant or on the skin of an animal.
2》 a tingling or mildly painful sensation on the skin.
■ verb
1》 experience or produce a ~.
↘cause such a sensation in.
2》 react defensively or angrily.
Origin
OE pricel 'instrument for pricking, sensation of being pricked'; from the Gmc base of prick ; the verb is partly a dimin. of prick .