pinprick I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology:pin (I) + prick, n. 1.: a small puncture made by or as if by a pin 2.: a petty irritation or annoyance; specifically: a small, irritating, and antagonistic action or statement that is often repeated for the purpose of annoying < the action was viewed as another pinprick — Walter Sullivan > II. transitive verb : to administer pinpricks to < pinpricked and heckled the socialist leaders — John Gunther > intransitive verb : to administer pinpricks