1. The act of puncturing with a small point
   "The pricking of her finger on the spinning wheel's spindle";
   - prick

1. Make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
   "The nurse pricked my finger to get a small blood sample";
   - prickle
    
2. Cause a stinging pain
   "The needle pricked his skin";
   - sting, twinge
    
3. To cause a sharp emotional pain
   "The thought of her unhappiness pricked his conscience"
    
4. Cause a prickling sensation
   "The cactus pricked his finger";
   - prickle
    
5. Stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
   "She pricked the horse with her spurs";
   - goad
    
6. To stick up
   "The dog pricked up his ears";
   - prick up, cock up
    
7. Deliver a sting to
   "A bee pricked my arm yesterday";
   - sting, bite

Derived forms: prickings

Type of: ache, arouse, elicit, enkindle [literary], erect, evoke, hurt, jab, kindle, pierce, provoke, puncture, raise, rear, stab, suffer

Encyclopedia: Pricking