Collins English-English Dictionary

prick [prɪk]

1. 1. vb [mainly tr] to make (a small hole) in (something) by piercing lightly with a sharp point

2. 2. vb to wound in this manner

3. 3. vi. [intr] to cause or have a piercing or stinging sensation

4. 4. vi. to cause to feel a sharp emotional pain

   knowledge of such poverty pricked his conscience

5. 5. vi. to puncture or pierce

6. 6. vi. to mark, delineate, or outline by dots or punctures

7. 7. vi. [also intr; usually foll by up] to rise or raise erect; point

   the dog pricked his ears up at his master's call

8. 8. vi. [usually foll by out or off] to transplant (seedlings) into a larger container

9. 9. vi. [often foll by off] [navigation] to measure or trace (a course, distance, etc) on a chart with dividers

10. 10. vi. [Archaic] to rouse or impel; urge on

11. 11. vi. [intr] [Archaic] to ride fast on horseback; spur a horse on

12. 12. n the act of pricking or the condition or sensation of being pricked

13. 13. n a mark made by a sharp point; puncture

14. 14. n a sharp emotional pain resembling the physical pain caused by being pricked

    a prick of conscience

15. 15. n a taboo slang word for penis

16. 16. n [slang, derogatory] an obnoxious or despicable man

17. 17. n an instrument or weapon with a sharp point, such as a thorn, goad, bee sting, etc

18. 18. n the footprint or track of an animal, esp a hare

19. 19. n [obsolete] a small mark caused by pricking a surface; dot; point

20. 20. n [Etymology] Old English prica point, puncture; related to Dutch prik, Icelandic prik short stick, Swedish prick point, stick