Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small, sharp, pointed tip or projection: A prickle is a small, sharp point, often found on the stem or leaf of a plant, resembling a tiny spike or thorn.
   • A tingling or stinging sensation: A prickle can also refer to the feeling on the skin, as if being touched by many small, sharp points.

2. Verb:

   • To make a small hole or cause a slight puncture: To prickle means to pierce or prick lightly with something sharp, like a needle or thorn.
   • To cause or feel a tingling or stinging sensation: To prickle means to cause a sensation as if small, sharp points are touching the skin, often due to cold, fear, or excitement.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The cactus is covered in sharp prickles.
  • A prickle of fear ran down her spine.

• Verb:

  • The nurse will prickle your finger for a blood test.
  • The wool sweater prickles my skin.

Advanced Usage

• "to prickle with": to be covered with or full of a prickling sensation.
  • His skin prickled with goosebumps from the cold.
• "to prickle at": to react with a slight stinging sensation or feeling of irritation.
  • She prickled at his rude comment.

Variants and Related Words

• Prickly (adj): Covered with or full of prickles; causing a prickling sensation.
  • The prickly pear cactus.
• Prickling (n/adj): The sensation or act of causing a prickle.
  • A prickling feeling on my arm.

Synonyms

• Noun (point): Thorn, spine, barb.
• Noun (sensation): Tingle, sting.
• Verb (pierce): Prick, jab, sting.
• Verb (tingle): Tingle, sting.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "to have/get prickles/pins and needles": to have a tingling sensation in a part of the body, often after it has been numb.
  • My foot has prickles after sitting on it for so long.
• "to make someone's skin prickle": to cause someone to feel a sudden thrill of fear, excitement, or anticipation.
  • The eerie silence made her skin prickle.

Noun

1. a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf

Verb

1. make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
   • The nurse pricked my finger to get a small blood sample
2. cause a stinging or tingling sensation
3. cause a prickling sensation