释义 |
prick I. \ˈprik\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English prikke, prik, from Old English prica; akin to Middle Dutch pric, pricke prick, Old Norse prik short stick, point and perhaps to Old Norse pikka to peck, hack — more at pick 1. : a mark or shallow hole made by a pointed instrument : puncture, point, dot: as a. : a wound or flaw consisting of such a mark or hole; especially : an injury to a horse's hoof resulting from driving a nail into the quick in shoeing b. : the footprint of a hare 2. : any of various small marks or points resembling a prick made by a pointed instrument: as a. archaic : punctuation mark : a diacritical mark b. obsolete : a minute part or particle : a point in space or time c. (1) : a mark fixed for shooting with bow and arrow : bullseye, target (2) obsolete : something at which one directs one's aim : objective, intent d. (1) : a note used in medieval music (2) : a dot placed after a note or rest in musical notation e. obsolete : a mark on the dial of a sundial or clock noting the divisions of time 3. : something that pricks or is capable of making punctures (as a pointed instrument or weapon): as a. (1) : a sharp projecting organ or part of a plant or animal (as a thorn, prickle, or spine) (2) obsolete the sting of a bee or other arthropod b. obsolete : a goad for oxen c. obsolete : a usually nonmaterial source of distress or stimulation (as a cause of remorse or vexation or an incentive) d. dialect chiefly England : skewer e. obsolete : an upright tapering object (as a spire, a tent pole, or the pricket of a candlestick) 4. : an instance of pricking or the sensation of being pricked: as a. : a nagging or sharp feeling of remorse, regret, or sorrow (as for past deeds or omissions) b. : a slight sharply localized discomfort < felt only a prick as the doctor made the injection > c. : a brief sharp attack : stab < a prick of conscience > 5. : penis — usually considered vulgar 6. : a roll of tobacco suitable for carrying on the person 7. slang : a disagreeable or contemptible person II. verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English prikken, priken, from Old English prician; akin to Middle High German pfrecken to prick, Old English priccan, Old Norse prika; all from the root of English prick (I) transitive verb 1. : to pierce slightly with something sharp-pointed : make a puncture in : drive a fine point into < prick holes in paper > as a. (1) : to wound usually slightly with a pointed instrument < pricked his finger with a pin > (2) : to give a slight piercing wound to < the pin pricked his finger > b. : to drive a nail into the quick of (a horse) in shoeing c. : to pierce the skin of (a suspected witch) repeatedly to prove the status by finding spots that fail to bleed 2. : to affect with anguish or grief : sting with or as if with remorse 3. a. : to ride or guide with spurs or a goad b. : to urge as if with spurs : incite, impel — sometimes used with on or off < my duty pricks me on to utter that — Shakespeare > 4. a. archaic : to write down (music) in notes b. : to mark, distinguish, or note (as an item in a list) by means of a small mark — sometimes used with down < pricks down each item > c. : to select (as a candidate) by such pricking d. : to mark or outline with punctures : trace or form by pricking < prick an embroidery pattern > 5. dialect chiefly England : to adorn the person or dress of especially by adding some fancy bauble : prink — often used with up 6. : to search for the tracks of (a hare) : track (a hare) by its footprints 7. obsolete a. : to make fast or take up on the point of an implement b. : to fix or insert by the point : thrust or drive (a pointed implement) into something c. : to fasten with a pointed implement 8. a. obsolete : to bring into a desired position or relation by or as if by pricking b. : to remove (a young seedling) from the original container to another suitable for further growth — used with out or off or formerly with forth or in 9. : to cause to be or stand erect; especially : to raise or bend (the ears) into a position for optimum hearing — usually used with up and especially of a dog or horse 10. : to run a middle seam through (a sail) 11. : to cause (as wine) to undergo an acetic fermentation : spoil by acidifying intransitive verb 1. a. : to prick something or cause a pricking sensation < how those briers pricked > also : to be prickly < short spines that prick all over the back > b. (1) : to become punctured (2) : to feel a sharp pain as if from being punctured < the elbow pricked and tingled > (3) : to give rise to such a sensation < a healing wound often pricks > 2. : to urge a horse with the spur; also : to ride fast : gallop < pricking through the night > 3. : thrust — usually used with at < his neglect pricked at his conscience > 4. : to become sharp or acid : spoil by souring — used of beverages (as wine) 5. a. : to point or become directed upward < steeples pricking toward the sky > b. of an ear : to be in a position of attention < the dog's ears pricked up at the sound > 6. chiefly dialect : prink Synonyms: see perforate, urge • - prick up one's ears III. adjective : standing erect < prick ears are a disqualification for this breed > : erected in a position of attention < a startled horse with sharply prick ears > : listening < keep your ears prick for any information we can use > |