I. ˈprikəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English prikle, prikel, from Old English pricle, pricel; akin to Middle Dutch prikel prickle; all from the root of English prick (I)
1. : a little prick : a small sharp point : a fine sharp process or projection (as from the skin of an animal) : a small spine or thorn ; especially : a sharp pointed emergence arising from the epidermis or bark of a plant
2.
a. : a prickling sensation
b. pickles plural : a stinging discomfort (as from prickly heat)
decided, with hot prickles at the back of his neck, that a girl customer was giggling at him — Sinclair Lewis
II. verb
( prickled ; prickled ; prickling -k(ə)liŋ ; prickles )
transitive verb
: to prick slightly (as with a prick or prickles) ; also : to produce pricks, prickles, or prickings in
intransitive verb
: to pierce, prod, or cause tingling with or as if with a prick or prickles
how those burrs prickled
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : a wicker or willow basket originally for fruit or flowers
2. : a unit of weight that equals the weight of the contents of one prickle and usually varies about 50 pounds