Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - prick

~1 v 1 to make a small hole in something, using a sharp point  (Prick the pastry lightly with a fork. | prick yourself/prick your finger)  (Ouch! I've pricked my finger with the needle.) 2 to feel an unpleasant stinging feeling on your skin, or to make someone feel this  (prick sth)  (The coarse material was beginning to prick my whole body.)  (- see also prickle2 (1)) 3 prick sb's conscience to make someone feel guilty or ashamed  (a documentary that should prick the consciences of the comfortable middle classes) 4 prick (up) its ears if an animal pricks up its ears it raises them and points them towards a sound  (The rabbit stopped suddenly, pricking up its ears.) 5 prick (up) your ears to listen carefully because you have heard something interesting  (Jay pricked up his ears when I mentioned vacation.) 6 prick the bubble (of sth) to make someone see the uncomfortable truth of a situation prick sth out phr v to place a young plant in a specially prepared hole ~2 n 1 »PAIN« a slight pain you get when something sharp goes into your skin  (Don't worry, it's just a little needle prick.) 2 »SMALL HOLE« a) a small hole made by a sharp point in your skin or the surface of something  (A sample of blood was drawn from a prick in the skin.) b) an act of pricking something  (Give the sausages a prick.)  (- see also pinprick) 3 »SEX ORGAN« slang taboo a penis 4 »PERSON« slang taboo a stupid unpleasant man 5 prick of conscience an uncomfortable feeling that you have done something wrong 6 a prick of light a small point or circle of light