prick-ears
Definition
Noun (plural in form but used as singular or plural): - Ears that stand erect or are pointed upward: "prick-ears" refers to the ears of an animal (typically a dog, horse, or other mammal) that are naturally upright, pointed, or held in a pricked position, as opposed to drooping or floppy ears. This term is often used in animal breeding or description to denote a specific ear shape.
Usage Examples
- (The dog's ears are naturally erect and pointed.)
- (The ears are a key breed characteristic.)
Advanced Usage
- "Prick-ears" as a breed descriptor: In dog breeding, "prick-ears" is a standard term for ear types, contrasting with "drop ears" (floppy) or "button ears" (folded). It is not a separate word but a compound describing a physical trait.
- The Belgian Malinois has prick-ears that are set high on the skull. (The ears are erect and positioned high.)
Variants and Related Words
- Prick-ear (singular noun): a single ear that is erect and pointed.
- One of the puppy's prick-ears was slightly tilted. (One ear was upright but not perfectly symmetrical.)
- Prick-eared (adjective): having ears that stand erect.
- The prick-eared terrier was highly attentive. (The dog had erect ears.)
Synonyms
- Erect ears: ears that stand upright.
- Pointed ears: ears with a tapered tip, often used for animals like foxes or wolves.
Related Idioms
- Prick up one's ears: to become suddenly alert or attentive (idiom derived from the image of an animal raising its ears).
- When he heard his name, he pricked up his ears. (He became alert and listened carefully.)