ˈprikə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English priker, from priken to prick + -er — more at prick
1. : one that pricks: as
a. : a rider of horses
b. : a military light horseman
c. : a mounted helper at a hunt : whipper-in — used in the phrase yeoman pricker
d. : one who pricks suspected witches to determine their guilt or innocence
e. : one who uses a prick or pricker in various occupations
2. : something that pricks, is prickly, or is used to prick or puncture something: as
a. : any of various sharp-pointed instruments for pricking holes : awl ; especially : a steel spike having the form of a small fid or marlinespike and used for punching eyelets in sailcloth
b. : briar , prickle , thorn
c. : a toothed roller for marking off a uniform dotted line or for pricking holes in tough material (as leather) prior to sewing
d.
(1) Britain : a pointed bar used by miners especially for bringing down coal from overhead
(2) : snuffer I 3
e. : an iron rod for sounding (as in a bog)
f. : climbing iron
g. : needle 8b
h.
(1) : a founder's vent wire
(2) : a pointed projection (as on a covering plate for a loam mold) to hold sand