prick

Definition

A small hole or perforation, caused by piercing.

Etymology

From Middle English prik, prikke, from Old English prica, pricu (“a sharp point, minute mark, spot, dot, small portion, prick”), from Proto-West Germanic *prikō, *priku, from Proto-Germanic *prikô, *prikō (“a prick, point”), of uncertain origin, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *breyǵ- (“to scrape, scratch, rub, prickle, chap”). Cognate with West Frisian prik (“small hole”), West Frisian prikke (“penis”), Dutch prik (“point, small stick", also "penis”), Danish prik (“dot”), Icelandic prik (“dot, small stick”).

Example Sentences

• "Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary."
• "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."
• "I felt a sharp prick as the nurse took a sample of blood."