/ ˈprɪkl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
to give sb an unpleasant feeling on their skin, as if a lot of small sharp points are pushing into it :
[ vn ]
The rough cloth prickled my skin.
[ v ]
His moustache prickled when he kissed me.
2.
[ v ] ( of skin, eyes, etc. ) to sting or feel strange and unpleasant because you are frightened, angry, excited, etc. :
Her eyes prickled with tears.
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled when I heard the door open.
( figurative )
He prickled (= became angry) at the suggestion that it had been his fault.
■ noun
1.
a small sharp part on the stem or leaf of a plant or on the skin of some animals :
a cactus covered in prickles
2.
a slight stinging feeling on the skin :
a prickle of fear / excitement
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English pricel instrument for pricking, sensation of being pricked ; related to Middle Dutch prickel , from the Germanic base of prick . The verb is partly a diminutive of the verb prick .