- a pointed process arising from the outer layer of a stem, leaf, etc, and containing no woody or conducting tissue
Compare thorn - a pricking or stinging sensation
- to feel or cause to feel a stinging sensation
- (transitive) to prick, as with a thorn
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
prick•le /ˈprɪkəl/USA pronunciation
n., v., -led, -ling.
n. [countable]
v. [no object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026n. [countable]
- Botanya small, sharp thorn that sticks out, as on a plant.
- a pricking sensation.
v. [no object]
- to cause a pricking sensation:His skin prickled at having to go into the dark room alone.
prick•le
(prik′əl),USA pronunciation n., v., -led, -ling.
n.
v.t.
v.i.
n.
- a sharp point.
- Botanya small, pointed process growing from the bark of a plant.
- Zoologya sharp process or projection, as from the skin of an animal;
a spine. - a pricking sensation.
v.t.
- to prick lightly.
- to cause a pricking or tingling sensation in.
v.i.
- to tingle as if pricked.
- Middle English prykel (noun, nominal), Old English pricel. See prick, -le bef. 950
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
prickle /ˈprɪkəl/ n