prɪk v. & n. --v. 1 tr.
pierce slightly;
make a
small hole in. 2 tr. (foll. by
off, out) mark (esp. a pattern)
with small holes or dots. 3 tr.
trouble mentally (my
conscience is pricking me). 4 intr.
feel a pricking
sensation. 5 intr. (foll. by
at,
into, etc.) make a
thrust as if to prick. 6 tr. (foll. by in, off, out)
plant (seedlings etc.) in small holes pricked in
the earth. 7 tr.
Brit.
archaic mark off (a
name in a list,
esp. to
select a sheriff) by pricking. 8 tr. archaic
spur or
urge on (a
horse etc.). --n. 1 the
act or an
instance of pricking. 2 a small hole or mark
made by pricking. 3 a
pain caused as by pricking. 4 a
mental pain (felt the pricks of conscience). 5
coarse sl. a the
penis. b derog. (as a
term of contempt) a
person. °Usually considered a
taboo use. 6 archaic a
goad for oxen. økick
against the pricks
persist in
futile resistance. prick up one's ears 1 (of a
dog etc.) make the ears
erect when on the
alert. 2 (of a person)
become suddenly
attentive. øøpricker n. [OE prician (v.), pricca (n.)]
