/ prɪk; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] prick sth (with sth) to make a very small hole in sth with a sharp point :
Prick holes in the paper with a pin.
He pricked the balloon and burst it.
2.
[ vn ] prick 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.
to make sb feel a slight pain as if they were being pricked :
[ v ]
He felt a pricking sensation in his throat.
[ vn ]
Tears pricked her eyes.
•
IDIOMS
- prick your conscience | your conscience pricks you
- prick (up) your ears
■ 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.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English pricca (noun), prician (verb), probably of West Germanic origin and related to Low German and Dutch prik (noun), prikken (verb).