PRICKLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does prickle mean? 

• PRICKLE (noun)
  The noun PRICKLE has 1 sense:

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

  Familiarity information: PRICKLE used as a noun is very rare.

• PRICKLE (verb)
  The verb PRICKLE has 3 senses:

1. cause a prickling sensation

2. cause a stinging or tingling sensation

3. make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn

  Familiarity information: PRICKLE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRICKLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

pricker; prickle; spikelet; spine; sticker; thorn

Hypernyms ("prickle" is a kind of...):

aculeus (a stiff sharp-pointed plant process)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prickle"):

glochid; glochidium (a barbed spine or bristle (often tufted on cacti))

Derivation:

prickly (having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.)

• PRICKLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they prickle    ... he / she / it prickles   
Past simple: prickled   
Past participle: prickled   
-ing form: prickling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause a prickling sensation

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

prick; prickle

Hypernyms (to "prickle" is one way to...):

prick; sting; twinge (cause a stinging pain)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody's (body part) ----s

Derivation:

prickling (a somatic sensation as from many tiny stings)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause a stinging or tingling sensation

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

prickle; tingle

Hypernyms (to "prickle" is one way to...):

itch (have or perceive an itch)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody's (body part) ----s

Derivation:

prickling (a somatic sensation as from many tiny stings)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

prick; prickle

Context example:

The nurse pricked my finger to get a small blood sample

Hypernyms (to "prickle" is one way to...):

pierce (make a hole into)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prickle"):

needle (prick with a needle)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

 Context examples 

An abnormal touch sensation, such as burning or prickling, that occurs without an outside stimulus.

(Paresthesia, NCI Dictionary)

Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) History; do you ever have any prickling feelings in your legs or feet?

(MNSI - Prickling Feelings Legs/Feet, NCI Thesaurus)

Successive stages of differentiation of the keratinocytes forming the epidermal layers are basal cell, spinous or prickle cell, and the granular cell.

(Keratinocyte, NCI Thesaurus)

It consists of the following layers: stratum corneum (horny layer), stratum granulosum (granular layer), stratum spinosum (prickle cell layer), and stratum basale (basal cell layer).

(Epidermis, NCI Thesaurus)

This damage slows down or blocks messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS. They can include: • Visual disturbances • Muscle weakness • Trouble with coordination and balance • Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or pins and needles • Thinking and memory problems

(Multiple Sclerosis, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)