| 释义 |
prickn. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with or formed similarly to West Frisian prik prick, small hole, puncture, puncture mark, Dutch prik , †prick , †prikke (feminine) iron tip of a weapon, goad, pointed instrument, small stick, penis, small roll of tobacco (1573), prik , †prick (masculine) act or instance of pricking, puncture, small detail (1611), Middle Low German prick , prik (masculine) wooden staff, handle of a working instrument, small detail (German regional (Low German) prick , prik (masculine) sting, tip, dot, point, piercing instrument, pointed piece of wood, small detail, prikke (feminine) pronged eel-spear (compare sense 10(c))), Old Icelandic, Icelandic prik dot (in modern Icelandic also small stick), and also (probably partly < Middle Low German) Old Danish prich , precke (Danish prik , prick , pricke , (now regional) prikke dot, mark, small hole, minute particle, small detail, centre of target, bullseye), Norwegian prikk (common gender) dot, speck, small patch, small pustule, (neuter) act or instance of pricking, Swedish prick dot, mark, small part of a thing, small detail (1526) < the Germanic base of prick v. Compare also pritch n.Compare ( < English) Welsh pric , Irish prioc prick, sting, goad, etc., and post-classical Latin pricka , prikka pin (1330 in a British source), spur (1335 in a British source). With the form history compare discussion at prick v. The forms prewes , prews perhaps result from misreadings of forms with medial -kk- . In Old English usually a weak masculine; however, a rare weak feminine form price is also attested (which could alternatively be interpreted as showing pritch n.). With the semantic development, compare point n.1, which shows considerable semantic overlap, especially in early use. In sense 12a probably after post-classical Latin mentula (1535 in the passage translated in quot. 1540 at sense 12a), use as term of endearment of classical Latin mentula penis (see mentula n.). In prick of the day at sense 15 apparently after Middle French, French point du jour (second half of the 12th cent. in Old French) or Middle French, French pointe du jour (late 12th cent. in Old French as pointe del jur). I. A result of pricking. 1. the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > puncture wound the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] > a hole bored, pierced, or perforated > made with a sharp-pointed instrument > a prick OE Ælfric (St. John's Oxf.) 180 Pungo, ic pricige, pupugi, punctum (of ðam is nama punctus prica [c1225 Worcester pricca]). ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 164v (MED) The 5a. instrument is a cauterie subtile, wiþ which bene put or sette cetonez & prickez with tenaculez, i. tongez, brode & persed. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay ii. viii. 41 b They haue firste p[r]icked them, out of which prickes do..breed certaine..wormes. 1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac III. 113 The lesse credulous, tooke the pricke of a pinne, for a Saints marke. 1733 J. Allen I. 67 In the second Stadium of the distemper little Spots are seen like Pricks of Needles. 1783 B. Bell I. xiv. (heading) Of Wounds or Pricks in the Nerves and Tendons. 1878 R. Browning cxli No pin's prick The tooth leaves. 1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. II. 1078 The prick may continue to drip for hours. 1949 R. H. Elias 72 Her arm was spotted with the needle pricks of a dope syringe. 1989 R. Hutton 445 The slices, blisters, and pricks left all over the body by the doctors had already begun to fester before death came. 2005 (Nexis) 8 Apr. A tiny prick is made on your finger and the minute sample used to ensure that you are not anaemic or ill in any other way. the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > disorders of feet or hooves 1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. cxlvi. f. 100v, (heading) in Of a pricke in the sole of the foote, eyther by treading on a nayle, or any other sharpe thing that doth enter into the foote. 1610 G. Markham ii. lxxxiii. 364 It will not onely heale this soare, but also any pricke by a naile whatsoeuer. 1740 H. Bracken (ed. 2) II. vi. 210 He has got a Prick thro' the Sole or Heart of the Foot (as it is called). ?1790 J. Jones 52 (heading) For a nail-prick in shoeing. 1831 W. Youatt xvi. 303 Prick or wound in the sole or crust... The sole is very liable to be wounded by nails, pieces of glass, or even sharp flints. 1908 (War Office) 239 ‘Pricks’, wounds from nails driven into the fleshy parts, and ‘presses’, or ‘binds’, from their being so close that they bruise them. 1915 F. B. Hadley 155 It includes the removal of the saddle if saddle-gall is present, withdrawal of nail in nail prick, [etc.]. 2001 (Nexis) 11 Feb. s21 Miss Power Bird, winner of four of her five starts, suffered a nail prick after being shod. society > communication > indication > marking > a mark > trace or vestige > [noun] > left by the passage of something > of a person or animal > of a rabbit or hare 1598 J. Florio A track,..the print of a foote,..the prick of a hare. 1615 G. Markham i. i. 32 If the forme be plaine and smooth within, the padde before it flat and woorne, and the pricks..new and easie to be seene.., then is the forme new. 1736 ii. i. 222 If it be smooth and plain within,..so that you may discern the Pricks,..then endeavour to recover the Hare upon the Trail. 1875 ‘Stonehenge’ (ed. 12) i. i. i. §5. 8 [The hare] leaves her mark or prick in the soil. 1888 F. T. Elworthy (at cited word) The print of a hare's or rabbit's foot is a prick. 2. society > communication > indication > marking > a mark > [noun] > dot OE (1992) ix. 174 Eall þes middaneard nære þe mare dryges landes ofer þone micclan garsegc þe man ænne prican [lOE Corpus Cambr. 303 prece] aprycce on anum brede [OE Hatton 115 weaxbrede]. OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) lxxxv. 124 Heo hæfð on æghwylcum leafe twa endebyrdnyssa fægerra pricena, & þa scinað swa gold. 1340 (1866) 150 He nimþ uerst his pricke [c1450 Bk. Vices & Virtues merke; Fr. point] and his boune. a1400 G. Chaucer (St. John's Cambr.) Suppl. §42 4 I sette ther a prikke at my fot. a1450 ( G. Chaucer ii. §5. 19. Set there a prikke of ynke. 1530 J. Palsgrave 258/1 Pricke a marke, marque. 1607 J. Norden iii. 129 Upon this line I make a pricke, which is the very station where the instrument is supposed to stand. 1676 T. Miller 1 Set 1 foot of your Compasses at B, and with the other mark a prick at G. 1766 at Surveying A point is..ordinarily expressed with a small prick, like a period at the end of a sentence. 1893 E. M. Thompson 63 The distances of the horizontal lines from one another were marked off with pricks of the compass in vertical order down the page. 1942 P. McPharlin 24 The same simple mark, a prick or a scratch, which may have been the first numeral, was the first means of punctuation used by the Romans. 1595 W. Shakespeare i. iv. 35 Now Phaeton hath tumbled from his carre, And made an euening at the noone tide pricke. 1597 W. Shakespeare ii. iii. 105 The baudie hand of the diall is euen now vpon the pricke of noone. View more context for this quotation †3. society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [noun] > punctuation mark society > communication > writing > written character > [noun] > written character not a letter > diacritic > types of society > communication > writing > written character > [noun] > written character not a letter > vowel-point OE Ælfric (St. John's Oxf.) 291 Se forma prica on þam ferse is gehaten media distinctio, þæt is on middan todal. OE Byrhtferð (Ashm.) (1995) iii. iii. 176 Lymniscus ys seo gyrd þe byð betwyx þam twam pricon, þus licgende: ÷. 1530 J. Palsgrave 11 If they..be nat part of a diphthong, they shall have ii prickes over theyr heed, thus ÿ, v̈. 1567 W. Salesbury E j The sound of u, in French, or ü, wyth two prickes ouer the heade in Duch. 1605 A. Willet 26 This word Iehouah..borroweth all the prickes from Adonai. 1646 Errata Some mistakes are in the pricks and commaes. 1693 J. Edwards I. ii. 53 One Tittle..is meant of those little Horns, Pricks and Dots belonging to the Hebrew Letters. 1708 R. Claridge (1726) ix. 245 If a Man should take away the Prick of an Hebrew Letter from the right Side, and place it on the Left, according to which Variation, a Man pronounceth respectively the Word Shibboleth. society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > [noun] > dot society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > [noun] > character in notation > point 1447 in J. Raine (1839) p. cccxv (MED) Idem, Johannes illos monachos Dunelmenses..ad addiscendum diligenter et meliori modo, quo sciverit, tam ad modulandum, scilicet playnsange, prikenot, faburdon, dischaunte, et countre, quantum in ipso est informabit.] 1482 Ordinance Syon Libr. in (1910) 25 122 Forthermore for wrytynge and lumpnyng and notynge of quayres needefulle of iiije dyuers soortes. The firste and leeste bene of xije prykke and vndre to vje. 1597 T. Morley Annot. sig. * A pricke is a kinde of Ligature, so that if you would tie a semibrief and a minime together, you may set a pricke after the semibriefe, and so you shal binde them. 1597 T. Morley 12 Phi. I pray you say what Prickes or poynts signifie in singing. Ma... As your rests signified the whole lengthe of the notes in silence, so dothe the pricke the halfe of the note going before to be holden out in voyce..and this pricke is called a pricke of augmentation. 1654 J. Playford 14 Notes have often times an augmentation or addition of a prick which followes them, which is for the continuing or prolonging of the sound of that Note it follows. 1659 C. Hoole tr. J. A. Comenius (1672) xcix. 203/1 Musique setteth Tunes with Pricks. 1749 J. Mason 31 By a proper Use of the Pricks and Pauses it may be so contrived..as to make no alteration in the Time of the Tune, or manner of beating it. 1779 J. Cheltham Introd. p. vi A Prick after any Note, either in Common or Triple Time, makes it longer by one half. †II. A minute thing. the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > the smallest amount > a jot OE Ælfric (Cambr. Gg.3.28) iv. §52. 40 Swa þeah ne gæð heora naðor [sc. the moon in winter and in summer] ænne prican ofer ðam þe him geset is. OE (Corpus Cambr.) v. 18 Ærþam gewite heofon & eorðe an i oððe an prica [c1175 Royal pryce; c1200 Hatton prike] ne gewit fram þære æ ærþam ealle þing gewurðan. c1230 (?a1200) (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 118 Tempte hire swa feor, ah ne schalt tu gan na forðre, ant swa feor he ȝeueð hire strengðe to wiðstonden; þe feond ne mei nawt forðre gan a pricke. c1429 (1986) l. 4292 Alle thire thinges..wille he weghe streytly thare, And to the prikke thaire value tofore alle men declare. ?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) 1240 in (2003) 80 Of all that rout wes neuer a pryk disioynt. 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in 84 Not a iote, or a pricke of the law shall passe, vntill all be fulfilled. a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece (1858) II. 291 Syne all the lawe remanand wes behind, Rycht equalie,..Be the leist prick..Distribute hes amang his men of weir. 1645 J. Ussher (1647) 13 Not one jot or prick of the Law shall perish. 1760 Session Papers in (1968) VII. (at cited word) As he had now a child of his own, Marion Hutton should never get a prick's worth of what belonged to him. 5. the world > time > period > hour > [noun] > specific part of an hour OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) vi. 230 Swa swa se mona dæghwomlice feower pricum lator arist, swa eac seo sæ symle feower pricum lator fleowð. OE Byrhtferð (Ashm.) (1995) ii. iii. 104 Feower puncti (þæt synt prican) wyrcað ane tid on þære sunnan ryne; and forþan ys se prica gecweden forþan seo sunne astihð pricmælum on þam dægmæle... Syx and hundnigontig prican beoð on þam dæge, and þa prican habbað minuta twa hund and feowertig. the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > moment or instant 1340 (1866) 71 (MED) Al oure lyf nes naȝt bote a lyte prikke nou we byeþ ine zorȝe wyþ-oute ende. c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock (1921) 8 (MED) Eche soule is made in þe body in the same poynt and pricke of tyme in whiche it is couplid and joinyd to þe body. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in i. f. cccxxxiiii That dureth but a pricke, in respecte of the other. 1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger I. i. viii. sig. E.vi/1 They that shall be then liuing..shall in a very prick of time be changed. a1599 R. Scot (1651) x. 362 The Thomists also say it continued but one instant or prick of time; for they tarried but two instants in all, even from their creation to their expulsion. 1631 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas i. 8 What a lothsome thing is it for a man to haue to doe with them any longer, then in that short pricke of time that hee holds them in his armes. the world > the universe > sun > [noun] > disc, face > digit the world > the universe > planet > primary planet > moon > [noun] > digit 1561 R. Eden tr. M. Cortés ii. viii. sig. Eiii The quantitie of these Eclipses, the Astronomers deuide into .xii. equall partes, aswell the Diameter of the Sunne as of the Moone. And these partes they call fyngers, punctes or prickes. the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > [noun] > apparent > that which appears to be reduced in size ?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius ii. pr. vii. 28 Al the envyrounynge of the erthe aboute ne halt but the resoun of a prykke [L. spatium puncti] at regard of the gretnesse of hevene. c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer 907 He Was flowen fro the ground so hye That al the world..No more semed than a prikke. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny I. 33 This little pricke of the world (for surely the earth is nothing else in comparison of the whole). 1609 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 337 In such indexes (although small pricks To their subsequent volumes) there is seene, The baby figure of the gyant masse, Of things to come at large. View more context for this quotation 1619 W. Whateley Ded. This prick of earth, this almost nothing, that we tread upon. III. A thing that pricks or pierces; an instrument or organ tapering to a point. 7. the world > plants > part of plant > thorn or prickle > [noun] the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [noun] > that which is small > a small space or extent > a point of space the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [noun] > hard or protective covering > spine OE Bounds (Sawyer 587) in S. E. Kelly (2001) 294 Of þam heafodon andlang fura, on pric þorn. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iii. 117 (MED) And thus myn hand ayein the pricke I hurte and have do many day. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 289 An yrchon haþ a litel body and many pikes and prikkes. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 24084 (MED) A crun o thorn his hefd on stod, þat ilk prick broght vte þe blod. c1475 tr. C. de Pisan (Cambr.) (1977) 108 (MED) The palmes hathe prykkes in himselfe. ?1520 J. Rastell sig. Avjv In comparyson..they be so small No more than the prikkis that be on a gall. 1602 T. North tr. S. Goulart 99 As prickes be hidden vnder roses. 1631 Bp. J. Hall (ed. 2) (2nd state) §cxxiii [The hedgehog] knowes how to roll up it selfe round, within those thornes,..so as the dogge, in stead of a beast, findes now nothing but a ball of prickes, to wound his jawes. 1688 R. Holme ii. 84/2 The Thorns or pricks, are sharp points growing from the branches of some trees. 1988 M. Warner vii. 65 She was nearly faint with pain from the cactus pricks festering in her hands. the world > animals > animal body > general parts > [noun] > instruments of defence or offence > sting the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Arachnida > [noun] > order Scorpiones > member of (scorpion) > parts of > sting the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Hymenoptera > [noun] > suborder Apocrita, Petiolata, or Heterophaga > group Aculeata (stinging) > superfamily Apoidea (bees) > sting of bee c1350 (Harl. 874) (1961) 69 (MED) And þai shullen haue tailes as þe scorpyoun & sharp prickes [v.r. poyntis; Fr. aguluns] in her tailes. c1390 G. Chaucer 468 Bees, whan they maken hire kyng, they chesen oon that hath no prikke wher with he may stynge. a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve (Harl. 4866) (1897) 3378 (MED) Othir bees, prikkes han euerichon. the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > [noun] the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > [noun] > action of irritating > cause of irritation > one who or that which irritates c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. xv. 56 Forsoth, the pricke [L. Stimulus] of deeth is synne. a1425 J. Wyclif (1871) II. 264 (MED) Leste þat gretenesse of Goddis telling hye Poul above himsilf, God ȝaf him a prikke of his fleish, an angel of þe fend to tempte him. a1500 (Harl. 149) (1974) 109 (MED) Dethe wher ys now thy prykke, and where ys now thy vyctorye? 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy xxvi. xl. 615 It was never well taken by Hanno, nor joyously accepted, in regard of the person, who was a pricke alwaies in his eie. 1612 T. Taylor Ded. That cursed race of the Cananites, who were ever pricks in the sides, and thornes in the eyes of Gods people. 1645 J. Ussher (1647) 374 Who will seem to forgive, and yet keep a prick and quarrell in their hearts. society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > pin or peg the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > knitting > needle OE (1955) 153 Circinnum, Centrum, mæltange uel mæltanges prica. a1362 in (1872) 7 163 (MED) In virgis, prickkes, swethes, et hanchons iij s. ix d. ob. 1374 (P.R.O.: C 135/63/12) m. 2 Tenuit..de Honore Peuerelle medietatem manerii de Kynwaldemersch..per seruicium inueniendi vnum equum precii v.s. vnum saccum & vnum Prik. in gwerra Wallie quandocumque Rex gwerrat ibidem in propria persona. c1390 in F. J. Furnivall (1901) ii. 613 In fot and hond bereþ blodi prikke, His hed is ful of þornes þikke. (Harl. 221) 413 Prykke, for pakkys, broccus. c1450 in T. Austin (1888) 82 Take a prik and prik him togidur And lete him roste. 1530 J. Palsgrave 258/1 Pricke to pricke meate, brochette. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens vi. lxxix. 760 This plant..some call..in Englishe, Spindeltree, and Pricke timber: bycause the timber of this tree serueth very well to the making both of Prickes and Spindelles. 1621 R. Burton iii. ii. ii. iii. 573 Set out with bables as a butchers meat is with prickes. c1630 923 lf. 3 Like to a packe without a pricke, Or o-per-se in arithmeticke. 1688 R. Holme (1905) iii. xiv. 19/2 Thatchers Termes... Thatch pricks, and binding pricks. 1721 J. Kelly 184 It's a bare Moor that you'll go o'er, and no get Prick to your Blanket. 1721 J. Kelly 198 If ever you make a good Pudding, I'll eat the Prick. That is, I am much mistaken if ever you do good. 1838 W. Howitt I. iii. iii. 309 They knit with crooked pins called pricks. 1900 W. Dickinson & E. W. Prevost (rev. ed.) 250 Prick, a skewer, for fastening clout, and string for tying. 1969 E. H. Pinto 304 Bow curved needles, made from wire sharpened both ends..and known as pricks, were commonly used for ‘bump’ or coarse knitting. 9. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > goad c1225 (?OE) (Worcester) (Fragm. A) l. 11 [D]eaþ mid his pricke pineþ þene licame. c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in (1906) 26* Feut et agiloun, Gode and prikke. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds ix. 5 It is hard to thee for to kyke aȝens the pricke. a1400 (a1325) (Fairf. 14) 19626 (MED) Hit is to þe ful harde & wik for to wirk a-gaine þe prik. (Harl. 221) 413 Pryk, or prykyl, stimulus, stiga. a1500 tr. A. Chartier (Rawl.) (1974) 53 (MED) The oxe that stryvith ayeinst the prycke is gladly double prickid. c1520 M. Nisbet (1905) III. Acts xxii. 7 It is hard to thee to spurn aganis the prick. 1530 J. Palsgrave 258/1 Pricke to drive oxen with, aguillon. 1633 in (1972) 24 Feb. 470/1 In the barne..a bushel and sieves, and 2 prickes and rakes—£1. 1679 T. Blount 17 Pryk signifies a Goad or Spur. 1775 B. Romans App. 56 In that case an attempt to beat up under Cuba will be nothing better than kicking against the pricks. 1887 R. L. Stevenson (new ed.) 324 The one and the other counsels his readers, in a spirit suggestively alike, not to kick against the pricks or seek to be more wise than He who made them. 1904 ‘M. Corelli’ i For the past ten years he has known what it is to ‘kick against the pricks’ of legitimate Church authority. 1955 27 Aug. 8/5 He found it hard to kick against the pricks, yet, for that reason, kicked every day the harder. 1993 Q Jan. 97/4 Lo-fi but gripping, this is rant'n'roll on a knife-edge..a furious kicking against all manner of pricks. the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > that which incites or instigates a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 397 (MED) He..feng þe prikkes of þe love of God. c1429 (1986) l. 2435 His prikke specially is a womman gloosyng. (Harl. 221) 413 Pryke, or pynne, spintrum, vel spinter. c1454 R. Pecock 38 (MED) Y holde þat beestis knowen bi argument of silogisme, and oþire men holden þat beestis knowen bi symple prick and movyng of kynde without argument. 1526 W. Bonde iii. sig. QQQiii The moste speciall medicine and prycke agaynst slowthe. 1579 S. Gosson f. 11 Theaters, wc rather effeminate the minde, as prickes vnto vice, then procure amendement of maners, as spurres to vertue. 1638 F. Junius 114 The greatest wits are ever by the prickes of emulation driven forward to greater matters. the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun] society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > knife or dagger > [noun] society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > chisel > [noun] > for cutting stone or brick the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun] > for eels a1350 (a1325) St. Cecilia (Ashm.) 195 in (1898) 3 86 (MED) Þi poer..nys bote as a bleddore iblowe uol of wynde Þat be ipriked wiþ a pricke. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 192 In oolde tyme þey were ymerkede with dyuers fygures..ymade on here flesshe and skynne wiþ yren prikkes. a1450 ( tr. Vegetius (Douce) f. 89 (MED) A calketrappe..haþ foure tyndes or prickes, yscharpid kene. a1500 Let. Alexander l. 204 in (1979) 41 127 In our handis we hadden long battis, staves, and speris. Of the weren insette with the most sharpest prikes and stikynge instrumentis. 1552 R. Huloet Prycke, a fyshers instrumente. Loke in Trowte speare. a1592 R. Greene (1594) sig. G2v Ile set a pricke against my brest. 1837 1 33/2 The backs are to be scappled with a prick. 1859 (1896) V. 581 Ordnance stores this day turned over to Samuel Medary... 100 cap pouches and pricks, worn. 1880–4 F. Day II. 246 The prick is constructed of four broad serrated blades or tines spread out like a fan, and the eel becomes wedged between them. 1910 H. Davidson 152 Discharging all smiths within the burgh from making any pricks to arrows or darts to the schoolboys. 2004 (Nexis) 4 Sept. c4 They [sc. the megalith builders] probably felt guilty at cutting the skin of Mother Earth with their pricks and plows and tunneling into her entrails with their tools in search of minerals and stones. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > a dwelling > tent > [noun] > pole the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > support or holder for a candle > [noun] > candlestick > with spike for candle > spike the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > rocky peak > [noun] society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > [noun] > beheading > stake > stake for displaying head the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > body and parts > antler > straight and unbranched > set of 1497 in M. Oppenheim (1896) 99 Pavilion of xvj and a prik. c1530 in J. Gutch (1781) II. 339 Twoo Aulter Candilstickes parcell gilte with prickes. 1563 N. Winȝet (1890) II. 66 Than the deuil tuke him..and set him aboue the prik of the temple. 1587 (1814) III. 522/1 Þt þair be a prik of Irne..Ryssing vpricht out of þe centrie or middis of þe bottom of þe firlot and passing throw þe middis of þe said ovir corss bar. c1600 in A. Maxwell (1884) 150 [To erect] ane sufficient prick of fine ashler wark weill hewn, rising with aucht square panes like the old foundation of the wark, in hicht..eleven foots. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta v. xxv. 400 High and stiep rockes, which have prickes or poynts on them, above two hundred fadome high. 1651 W. Sanderson 34 His head to be set upon a prick of Iron upon the highest part of the Talboth. 1699 B. E. Prick, the first Head of a Fallow Deer. c1728 A. Mercer (1828) 180 The height of the steeple, from the bottom to the top, is 198 foots; the length of the stalk, or prick, upon which the cock stands, is fifteen foot long. 1929 F. Grierson 58 His right hand adorned the prick of the West Port. 12. the mind > emotion > love > terms of endearment > [noun] > vulgar term of endearment 1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus sig. Rijv Aco. Wylt thou gold .i. any pieces of golde? Lais. This chayne my lyttell prycke [L. mea mentula] .i. I wolde fayne haue this chayne (of golde) my pretye pryncockes, or my ballocke stones. 1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus 186 Ah, ha! are we not alone, my prick?.. Let us go together into my inner bed-chamber. 1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus 547 One word alone hath troubled some, because the immodest maid soothing the young man, calls him her Prick [L. suam mentulam]... He who cannot away with this, instead of ‘my Prick’ [L. mea mentula], let him write ‘my Sweetheart’. the world > life > the body > sex organs > male sex organs > [noun] > penis c1555 sig. Biiiv To turne his pricke vpward, and cast a weauers knot on both his thumbs behind him. 1592 R. Dallington tr. F. Colonna f. 42v The pissing Boye lift vp his pricke. 1655 T. Moffett & C. Bennet xviii. 174 The French men call this fish the Asses-prick, and Dr Wotton termeth it grosly the Pintle fish. 1680 Earl of Rochester et al. 14 But though St. James has the honor on't, 'Tis consecrate to Prick and Cunt. 1683 A. Snape iii. v. 114 It [sc. glandula pinealis] is also called the Yard or Prick of the Brain. 1744 School of Venus in D. Thomas (1969) 362 You..can now without blushing call prick, stones, bollocks, cunt, tarse and the like names. 1763 J. Wilkes & T. Potter (1871) 19 Prick, cunt, and bollocks in convulsions hurl'd. 1845 A. Johnson Let. 10 July in (1967) II. 218 A great big fellow..said he was going about with tobacco in his pockett, a bottle of whiskey in one hand, and his prick in the other. 1896 A. Beardsley c3 Dec. (1970) 223 Yes everything is phallic shaped except Symons's prick. 1938 H. Miller 188 They say a stiff prick has no conscience. 1965 W. Young xiv. 132 You know, the young men's pricks seem to be getting bigger and bigger. It must be the Welfare State. 1992 11 Apr. ii. 16/7 All would be well if the effeminate-looking young man were indeed a woman, but he has a prick, which is nothing to William's purpose. the world > people > person > man > [noun] 1598 J. Florio at Pinchino A pillicock, a primcock, a prick, a prettie lad, a gull, a noddie. 1822 W. Hazlitt 31 May (1978) cxiv. 264 Her putting up with this prick of a fellow, merely for bore and measurement and gross manners, sets me low indeed. 1927 J. O'Hara Let. 12 Dec. in (1978) 27 I'll need you to..keep me from getting to be too much of a prick. 1934 H. Miller 110 Jesus, what I'd like is to find some rich cunt—like that cute little prick, Carl. 1949 J. Kerouac Let. 28 July in (1995) 213 Old men with white hair and black-ribbon glasses ‘look right’ no cop, no prick dares question their freedom. 1967 E. Trevor xi. 124 We don't like bein' pushed around by an incompetent prick of a commanding officer. 1973 J. Wainwright 25 John Smith said: ‘Some men have big pricks.’ ‘Some men are big pricks.’ 2015 K. L. Seegers tr. D. Meyer iv. 18 He had a strong feeling that van Eck was a spoiled little prick. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [noun] > excess, redundancy, or superfluity > that which is superfluous > a superfluous thing, part, or person 1961 E. Partridge (ed. 5) II. 1232/1 Prick, (standing about) like a (spare), useless, unwanted, idle; esp. with a hint of superfluity or of embarrassment. 1980 D. Bogarde v. 134 Don't stand there like a spare prick at a wedding. 1982 4 Nov. 205/1 Wherever we went, I continued to stand out like a spare prick. 1990 P. Silverton (BNC) 17 When I first started there I really felt like the proverbial spare prick at a wedding. 1994 I. Welsh 79 Doon at the flats it's really fuckin boggin. Thir's a polisman standin aroond like a spare prick. 1998 1 Apr. i. 6/6 I just felt like a spare prick at a wedding and just carried on driving. the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > [noun] > tobacco in a roll, cake, or stick 1666 J. Davies tr. C. de Rochefort 190 The place design'd for making of it [sc. tobacco] up into rolls or pricks. 1704 No. 4054/6 Lots..Cont. 4000 Pricks of Tobacco. 1888 W. C. Russell II. 88 I had the remains of what sailors term a prick of tobacco in my pocket. 1975 B. Meyrick iv. 57 Normally Pa had thirty or so good leaves left to make rolled ‘pricks’ as a change from pressing into wads. 1977 Feb. 6/6 The hair on the nape of the neck was bound in yarns..and called a perique. In my days we rolled leaf tobacco in a similar way and called the result a ‘prick’, just modern spelling of an old word. 1997 (Nexis) 2 Dec. 55 My father used to make what he called a ‘prick’ of tobacco, using the leaves which were first soaked in rum. The leaves were then rolled like a big cigar and tightly bound with tarred yarn. †IV. A point in reference to position. the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [noun] the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [noun] > state of or advanced condition > highest point OE Sedulius Glosses (Corpus Cambr. 173) in H. D. Meritt (1945) 32/2 Apex [apostolici honoris]: price. c1390 G. Chaucer 119 Alle the dayes of poure men ben wikke; Be war, ther fore, er thow come to that prikke. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) iv. 1751 Ȝoure hiȝe renoun Atteyned hath the exaltacioun And hiȝest prikke of Fortunys whele. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 45 (MED) Þer preued neuer nane his prik for passing of witt, Plato nor Piktagaras ne Prektane him seluen. ?1510 T. More tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola sig. b.ivv He was come to that prik of parfyt humilite. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus I. Matt. iii. 30 Endeuour with all your herte to the hygh prycke of vertue. 1594 H. Plat Diuerse Sorts of Soyle 30 in Vntill you haue attayned vnto the verie pricke of proportion. 1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius 141 Setting the prices..and enhaunsing the same to such a prick, that some men enforced to buye certaine things at an extreame and exceeding rate..cut their owne veines and so bled to death. 1924 E. Gill 12 Jan. (1947) 170 We had a very happy Christmas. I hope you did too. Your letter came on the very prick of the feast. the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [noun] > critical or decisive moment the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > dawn > [noun] ?c1422 T. Hoccleve Ars Sciendi Mori l. 847 in (1970) i. 209 Remembre or þat he come to the prikke. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) iv. 1920 (MED) Þe cite..Stood on þe prikke of his distruccioun. c1425 (c1400) 6639 (MED) He was dryuen so ney the prikke, That he myght not his lippis likke. a1500 (a1460) (1897–1973) 236 (MED) Was ther neuer man so wyk bot he myght amende when it com to the pryk. ?1533 G. Du Wes sig. Eiv At the prick of the day, au point du iour. the world > space > place > [noun] > of which the position alone is considered the world > relative properties > number > geometry > point > [noun] 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in i. f. cccxxxiiii A pricke is wonder lytel in respecte of al the cercle. 1551 R. Record i. Defin. A Poynt or a Prycke, is named of Geometricians that small and vnsensible shape, whiche hath in it no partes, that is to say: nother length, breadth, nor depth. 1578 J. Banister viii. f. 103 That which you see in the centre, or middle pricke of the eye is named Pupilla. 1589 P. Ive Pract. Fortification 10 in tr. R. Beccarie de Pavie Draw a right line..which must cut the line C.D. in the pricke E. a1620 M. Fotherby (1622) ii. ix. §3. 296 Hee calleth a Pricke the parent of all magnitude. V. The action of pricking. 17. society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > repentance or contrition > [noun] > pricking or murmuring of conscience society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > repentance or contrition > [noun] > pricking or murmuring of conscience > cause of the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > [noun] > by boring, piercing, or perforating > with sharp-pointed instrument > pricking > a prick ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 50 Þe echnen beoð þe forme arewen of lecheries prickes. ?a1400 (Garrett) (1863) p. xxxiv (MED) Here bigynneþ þe boke whiche is iclepid þe Prick of Conscience. a1450 (1969) l. 1646 It puttyth a man to pouerte And pullyth hym to peynys prycke. a1500 tr. A. Chartier (Rawl.) (1974) 13 (MED) Wherfor I conclude, seenge the feldis may nat be enhabited, that the citees through the prykke of hungre shuld be enfamyned. 1548 f. liijv This was no dreame, but a punccion and pricke of hys synfull conscience. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. i. 33 Gentlewomen That liue honestly by the prick of their needle. 1699 W. Dampier i. ix. 171 Captain Minchin..was like to lose his hand by a prick with a Cat fishes Fin. 1867 S. Smiles vii. 180 Every prick of conscience, was succeeded by new resolutions to extirpate heresy. 1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze 504 A stimulus, strictly limited in its local extent—say the prick of a needle. 1968 A. Diment x. 177 ‘Sleepy byes time, Lex,’ and I just felt the prick in my arm before I was blotted out again. 1977 N. Freeling III. 144 Out like a light. Leave her there... Later we'll give her a prick. 2005 (Nexis) 1 July They lived on the crumbs falling from the Seth's table and didn't have any prick of conscience stealing from the coffers of the Seth. society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > [noun] > position > marking position on chart c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner (1899) 21 Wee shall.., if God prosper our proceedings, see land such a daie by the prick of this my carde. 1614 Borough's Disc. Variation Compasse xii, in R. Norman (rev. ed.) sig. G3v The true pricke or place, of the ships being at any distance in the time of her voyage. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > [noun] > for something done ?a1534 H. Medwall ii. sig. fiiv Now forsoth I gyue the pryk and pryse, Thou art worth the weyght of gold. 1569 J. Sanford tr. H. C. Agrippa xxiv. f. 35v At the laste acknowledginge his erroure, was constrained to geue him the pricke and price. 1587 J. Hooker tr. Giraldus Cambrensis Vaticinall Hist. Conquest Ireland i. iv. 6/2 in (new ed.) II In these seruices, as in all other, Robert of Barrie, and Meilerius had the pricke and praise. ?1589 sig. A2v For knaue and foole thou maist beare pricke and price. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy ix. xvi. 324 For in running..he had not his peere, but went away with pricke and prise before all other in those daies. 1657 G. Thornley tr. Longus 49 The women gave him prick and praise for beauty. 1699 B. E. The Prick and Praise of our Town, that bears the Bell..in all Exercises, as Wrestling, Running,..&c. VI. In archery. 19. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > [noun] > mark or target > bull's-eye a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1963) 1 Kings xx. 20 I þre arewes schal senden besides it, & schal þrowen as hawntynge me to a pricke [a1425 L.V. exercisynge me at a signe [v.r. marke]]. c1450 (c1400) (1881) 2260 Thou kanste welle hit the prikke. 1464 in (1841) 269 (MED) Item, payd..for my masterys lossys att the prykkys, viij d.; Item, at the buttys, viij d. 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 45 An archier to faile of the butte is no wonder, but to hytte the prike is agreet maistrie. a1525 Robin Hood & Potter in F. J. Child (1888) III. v. 112 Off the marke he welde not ffayle, He cleffed the preke on thre. 1541 c. 9 §4 No man, vnder the age of .xxiiii. yeres, shall shote at anie standing pricke, excepte it be at a rouer. 1545 R. Ascham ii. f. 5v A bowe of Ewe must be hadde for perfecte shootinge at the prickes. 1577 R. Holinshed II. 1835/1 Diuerse of the court..shot dayly at pricks set vpon the Thames. 1615 G. Markham i. viii. 108 The pricke is a marke of compasse, yet certaine in the distance. 1676 R. Shotterel & T. D'Urfey 78 In shooting at Rovers, you must stand no further from your Mark than you can reach with half your Bow; but at Pricks you are permitted to stand two Bows before your Mark, and as much behind it as you please. 1845 J. Saunders 89 In every village were three kinds of marks set up:..the prick, a ‘mark of compass’, requiring strong light arrows, with feathers of moderate size. 1939 P. Gordon ii. v. 48 The essential difference between short-range target shooting..and butt shooting is that in the latter form the mark is a small central disc, called the ‘prick’. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > archery > [noun] > archery target 1569 T. Hearne in W. Camden (1717) Pref. p. xxix The shotinge with the Standerd, the shotinge with the brode arrowe, the shotinge at the twelve skore prick, the shotinge at the Turke. 1602 R. Carew i. f. 73 Their shaft was a cloth yard, their pricks 24. score. 1604 Penniles Parl. Threed-bare Poets in sig. F4v A Turke can be hit at twelue score pricks in Fiendsbury fields. 1620 T. Middleton & W. Rowley sig. B3 The Bow-mans twelue-score prick. the mind > will > intention > [noun] > intention or purpose > end, purpose, or object > goal or target a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve (Harl. 4866) (1897) 528 (MED) Than myghte siluer walke more thikke Among þe peple þan þat it doþ now; Ther wold I fayne þat were y-set þe prikke. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara (1546) sig. R.jv They shote at the pricke of the woman's beautie. 1567 P. Morwen tr. A. ben David ibn Daud (rev. ed.) 1 Seyng all the prophetes haue bent and directed their prophesies..to this pricke, that the kingdome of the house of Dauid should be restored. 1592 T. Tymme C ij What madnes is it then in those men, who because they cannot be in the prick, wil not be in ye but neither. Compounds C1. a. General attributive. 1885 27 Feb. 3/4 Sometimes a prick point by the men was gracefully parried by the women, who retaliated by a smart tap on the head or shoulder. 1894 24 22/1 Place one point on the prick spot on the staff, and prick the board for the plank with the other point... Remove the staff, bend a batten to the prick-points on the plank. 2001 (Nexis) 21 June c4 A swipe of aluminum chloride at each prick point stopped any bleeding and erased..the purple dot. 1894 24 22/1 Place one point on the prick spot on the staff, and prick the board for the plank with the other point... Remove the staff, bend a batten to the prick-points on the plank. 1992 J. L. Bachman x. 22 In a few minutes some of these prick spots will itch, bu the itch will go away after a while. OEPric þorn [see sense 7a]. b. Instrumental. 1905 July 272 The birds resort to its prick-protected shade. C2. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > archery > [noun] > target arrow 1547 in S. R. Meyrick (1824) III. 10 Quyver for pricke arrows for crosse-bowes. 1610 J. Boys Expos. Domin. Epist. in (1622) 170 Her prick-arrowes, as the shafts of Jonathan forwarne David of the great kings displeasure. 1893 J. M. Whitham xii. 724 The prick-bar has the fire-end turned through 90° and made chisel-pointed. the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > support or holder for a candle > [noun] > candlestick > with spike for candle 1565 in E. Peacock (1866) 50 Item ij pricke candlestickes—broken and sold to george nyxe. 1578 in A. Feuillerat (1908) 300 Pricke Candlestickes vi. 1580 C. Hollyband Vn coup d'estoc, a pricke cast. 1611 R. Cotgrave Coup d'estoc, a thrust, foine, stockado, stab; also, a prick-cast. the world > health and disease > healing > healer > physician > [noun] > military physician 1961 E. Partridge (ed. 5) II. 1232/1 Prick(-)farrier, a medical officer: R.A.F. regulars': since ca. 1928. 1971 S. Kerry iv. 48 ‘Meet Doc Kerry, our prick farrier.’ They both laughed. ‘No offence meant,’ said Johnny. ‘It's just a vulgar Naval term for a surgeon.’ the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > thorn-tree or -bush > [noun] > needle-furze 1616 G. Markham tr. C. Estienne et al. (rev. ed.) iv. iv. 498 If the gound haue beene much subiect to small whynnes, or prick-grasse, which is a most venimous weed in anie ground. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > body and parts > antler > straight and unbranched > set of 1688 R. Holme iii. 76/1 Prickhead, is the first head of a Fallow Deer. the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > tree or woody plant > wood or assemblage of trees or shrubs > [noun] > planted, cultivated, or valued > hedge or hedgerow > thorn-hedge 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny I. 510 This was at first practised with foot sets for a prick-hedge, namely by pitching down into the earth Elder, Quince-cuttings and brambles. 1611 in W. H. Stevenson (1889) IV. 302 He to sett a prick hedge betwixt the chappell and the dwelling howse. 1854 A. E. Baker II. 136 Prick-hedge, see Prick-nickle [a dry hedge of thorns, set to protect a newly planted fence]. the world > matter > colour > variegation > stripiness > [noun] > dotted line 1653 R. Saunders iii. 262 The prick lines poynt to the back part of the body. 1790 A. Walker 353 D, to which a horse is yoked, and walks sound [sic] the prick-line. 1847 J. O. Halliwell II Prick-lugged, having erect ears. a1903 I. Wilkinson in (1903) IV. 617/1 [Yorkshire] That pig's a prick-lugg'd un. the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > milling or grinding > [noun] > quantity of meal for grinding 1612–13 in J. Stuart (1852) V. 138 In passing to Edinburght commissionar for this burght concerning the prick measures. 1644 in C. S. Terry (1917) II. 317 From William and Abraham Hoomes nyntie bolls prick measur. the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > milling or grinding > [noun] > quantity of meal for grinding 1612 in J. D. Marwick (1870) II. 379 For conforming the prik mett of pek and furlitt to the awld messour..and suspending the acts of the said prik mett in the meyntyme. 1677 in J. Anderson 647 [The grain to be measured in the barns with the] prickmett [of Leith]. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular types of fruit > [noun] > tropical exotic fruit > prickly pear the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular fruit-tree or -plant > [noun] > tropical or exotic fruit-tree or -plant > prickly pear plants 1622 R. Hawkins xxiv. 55 One other fruit we found,..compassed about with prickles; our people called them Prick-peares. 2000 (Nexis) 10 May b10 Firing through 29 songs in two hours, the troupe..moves..from the cruelty of beauty (‘The Prickpear Bloom’) to one youth's loneliness (‘Ain't Nothing Up’). society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > dice-playing > [noun] > cheating 1664 J. Wilson iv. i. 46 Did not I..teach you, your Top, your Palm, and your Slur?.. And generally, instructed you from Prick-penny, to Long Lawrence? 1679 T. Shadwell iii. 44 Talk of Wit; Ill play at Prick-penny for twenty pound; with any one here. society > occupation and work > equipment > piercing or boring tools > [noun] > for piercing or pricking society > occupation and work > equipment > marking tools > [noun] > stamping tools 1678 J. Moxon I. ii. 28 A Prick-punch is a piece of temper'd Steel with a round point at one end, to prick a round mark in Cold iron. 1876 C. A. Hoxsie 56 He should mark across the guides and cross-head, and before the engine is moved make a prick-punch on the wheel-guard. 1921 2 Oct. 26/5 A chalk mark is good, but a prick punch makes a mark that will not rub out. 1980 R. D. Bent & J. L. McKinley (ed. 4) viii. 210/2 A prick punch can be used to make a depression in which one leg of a pair of dividers is placed for striking arcs. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > archery > [noun] > types of 1801 T. Roberts 241 Of Prick-shooting..the marks used in this kind of shooting have..consisted either of a small circular piece of white paper, fixed to a post..; or of a target. 1993 H. Soar in J. M. Fladmark xxvii. 343 There have been many forms of recreational archery, e.g. distance shooting with ‘standard’ battle-shafts,..shooting ‘under the line’, and wand or prick shooting. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > archery > [noun] > distance to target 1548 W. Patten E iij b The tentes..were deuided in to iiii. seuerall orders and rewes liynge east & west and a prikshot a sunder. society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [noun] > art of horse-riding > use of hands and legs > using spurs > spur 1688 R. Holme iii. 325/1 Prick Spur, with a Nail or sharp point. 1786 F. Grose I. 103 The knights of the three or four reigns, next succeeding the conquest, commonly wore the pryck spur, which had only a single point. 1824 S. R. Meyrick I. 12 The..spike of the pryck~spur. 1866 J. E. Cussans 42 The Prick-spur has but a single point. 1981 E. H. Edwards 20/3 (caption) A Roman prick-spur discovered during an excavation. 2001 65 284 The spur..is a prick spur of late Saxon or early medieval date. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > oral sex > [noun] > fellatio > one who practises 1868 tr. Martial 21 Cotilus, the prick-sucker,..is shown to be the filthiest of men. 1974 4 iv. 5/4 From then onward she became an ardent prick-sucker. the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > [noun] > kind of 1463–4 in (1841) 250 (MED) To Robart Clerke for a pryketakylle for my mastyr and for botehyre. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual desire > [noun] > that which excites > sexually exciting person > person who tempts someone sexually with no intention of satisfying the desire aroused 1974 M. J. Smith 268 There's a name people use for girls like you... A prick tease. 1996 1 Jan. 19/4 Instead, she played her as the pricktease of Egdon Heath. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual desire > [adjective] > causing sexual excitement or desire > that tempts someone sexually with no intention of satisfying the desire aroused > frustrated by 1975 D. Durrant viii. 74 Prick-teased boys had up for rape. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual desire > [noun] > that which excites > sexually exciting person > person who tempts someone sexually with no intention of satisfying the desire aroused ?1939 ‘Justinian’ 32 Prick-Teaser... Usually signifying a woman who consciously and ‘maliciously’ arouses a man's sexual desire and then willfully draws herself away. Sometimes, a young girl who does not realize that her physical charms arouse a male and who flaunts her sexual possessions erotically in a naive manner. U.S., C. 20. Very popular in collegiate circles, 1920. 1971 R. Busby i. 8 He laughed..and pulled her roughly across the seat. ‘A prick teaser, are we?’ 1996 H. Fielding (1997) 217 I felt guilty about being a prick-teaser, so when Gav rang and asked me round to his house for dinner tonight I accepted graciously. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual desire > [adjective] > causing sexual excitement or desire > that tempts someone sexually with no intention of satisfying the desire aroused 1967 ‘P. Loraine’ i. 16 I supplied..an empty house..for whatever prick-teasing kind of a party they wanted to throw. 1972 J. Mann iv. 24 He shouted after her: ‘Prick-teasing bitch.’ 1991 R. Ferguson ix. 180 His reasoning was similar to the reasoning June offered to excuse the prick-teasing hustling she engaged in to raise money in New York. 1936 11 July 92/1 In practice the best method is the prick test made into the skin through a very strong grass-pollen extract. 1987 11 Apr. 935/1 Cockroach extracts may produce positive responses to prick tests in exposed people. 2005 (Nexis) 81 531 A prick test is used to diagnose an allergy to substances such as pollen, furred animals, dust mites, and rubber products. the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > [noun] > tobacco in a roll, cake, or stick 1688 R. Holme (1905) iii. xxii. 274/1 Prick tobacco, thick roll all made vp together without any wreathing. 1939 W. G. Carr xix. 236 He..calmly smoked a foul and very wheezy pipe filled with the strongest and most evil-smelling ‘Prick’ tobacco. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > archery > [noun] > archery target a1650 Guye of Gisborne 126 in F. J. Furnivall II. 233 Robin hoode shott it better then hee, for he cloue the good pricke wande. 1765 I. Gloss. Pricke~wand, a wand set up for a mark. 1875 E. H. Knight III. 1788/1 Prick-wheel (Saddlery), a tool used to prick off the work for the harness-stitcher. 1969 E. H. Pinto 401 The leather worker's prick wheel may have a single wheel, or twin serrated revolving wheels... The tool is designed for marking a single or double line of stitches. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). prickadj. Origin: Formed within English, by clipping or shortening. Etymon: prick-eared adj. Etymology: Short for prick-eared adj. Compare later pricked adj.1 3, prick v. 27. Originally Scottish. the world > animals > animal body > general parts > head and neck > [adjective] > having ears > having prick-ears > of ears: pricked up a1449 W. Bower in (1759) II. xiv. xxxi. 376 Wyth prik ȝoukand eeris, as the awsk gleg. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil iv. v. 20 Als mony has scho prik wpstandand eris. 1650 in W. M. Ogilvie (1876) 50 Ther cam a spirit in the likeness of a catt..having prick luggs lyk a gryssie. 1889 G. Stables v. §11. 59 The hard-haired Scotch terrier... Ears very small, prick or half prick, but never drop. 1964 18 Feb. 14 m/5 Eyes dark brown, medium size, and expressive; ears prick or drop, gracefully feathered; neck long, gracefully arched. 1997 (Nexis) 29 Jan. c3 Now, the silky terrier's ears must be ‘small, V-shaped and prick’. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). prickv. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with West Frisian prykje to pierce slightly, to prod, to sting, to tingle, to prickle, Dutch prikken , †pricken to pierce, to puncture, to hurt with a pointed weapon, to cause a pricking sensation, to torment, to cause distress to (a person), to spur (a horse), Middle Low German pricken to pierce slightly, to wound or hurt with a pointed instrument, (figurative) to incite (German regional (Low German) pricken , prikken ), early modern German priken (figurative) to torment (second quarter of the 14th cent., in Central German sources), pfregken , pricken to pierce, to pinch (15th cent., rare), Old Icelandic prika (in a late source) to stab slightly, Danish (now regional) prege , prige to pierce slightly, to tickle, to incite, Norwegian regional prika , Swedish regional preka to pierce slightly, and also (probably partly < Middle Low German) Norwegian prikke , (Nynorsk) prikka , Swedish pricka (end of the 16th cent.), Danish prikke (a1719); further etymology uncertain and disputed: perhaps < a by-form (with inserted -r- ) of the Germanic base of pike n.1 (compare forms at that entry, and also pick n.1, pike v.1, and other related words, many of which show similar variation between long and short vowel; see further the discussion at pick v.1), or perhaps of expressive origin. Compare pritch v.The β. forms perhaps result from Middle English lengthening in an open syllable, although this would not account for the late Old English example (compare also the form prece at prick n., and perhaps also the Middle English form preche at pritch v.). In the γ. forms the medial -kk- , -ck- probably shows regular orthographic practice to indicate shortness of the vowel. The quantity of the tonic vowel in the Middle English α forms prike , pryke is uncertain, as is that of the early Middle English 3rd singular present indicative form pricaþ ; if it is long, they could perhaps reflect a long vowel in Old English (which would have been shortened by trisyllabic shortening in the infinitive prician , but not in forms such as the 3rd singular present indicative pricaþ ). With the form prig compare prig v.2 and variants in -g- of prick-me-dainty n. In Old English the prefixed form geprician to write down (compare sense 22) is also attested:OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) iii. i. 128 Selust huruþinga, la broðer min, ys to witanne, swa we herbufan gepricodon, hwær se forman monð cume to mankynne. Signification. I. To pierce or indent with a sharp point. 1. the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > pierce society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or penetrate (of weapon) [verb (transitive)] > strike with pointed weapon the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > become or make perforated [verb (intransitive)] > make (a) hole(s) > with something sharp > prick the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > prick OE Ælfric (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xviii. 178 He..het..ðæs papan lima, gelome prician, oð þæt he swulte, ðurh swylcum pinungum. c1225 (?OE) (Worcester) (Fragm. F) l. 8 Nu me wulleþ prikien þeo pikes inne helle. a1275 in C. Brown (1932) 61 (MED) Is hewid him al abutun wid þornis i-prikit. 1340 (1866) 230 (MED) Þornes and netlen, þet byeþ kueade meniynges..ofte prekieþ þane gost. c1384 (Royal) (1850) Apoc. i. 7 Thei that pungeden, or prickeden [L. pupugerunt] him. c1450 (1905) II. 446 Þai myght not be wakynd with no maner of criyng, nor þai myght fele nothyng sore and þai had bene nevur so prykkid. a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Vitell.) 14165 Lyk a bladdere..Pryke yt with a poynt, a-noon, And ffarwel, al the wynd ys gon. ?a1500 tr. C. de Pisan (Harl.) (1942) 109 Hytt was an old soth saw or þan þu were borne: ‘He gynneth soone to prykke þat wyll be a thorne.’ 1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau 10/2 If you perceave anye skilfers or splinters by the which that membrane might be pricked. 1621 F. Quarles Hadassa in (1717) 45 A bubble full of care, Which (prickt by death) straight enters into Air. 1626 F. Bacon §326 Take an Apple, &c. and pricke it with a Pinne full of Holes, not deepe. 1667 S. Pepys 18 Aug. (1974) VIII. 389 I could perceive her to take pins out of her pocket to prick me. 1726 Z. Boylston 12 She had pricked the skin, so as to raise a small Drop of Blood. 1789 J. Brand II. 679 By the wetness of the rods they [sc. the borers] know when any feeder of water is pricked. 1847 T. T. Stoddart 16 Trout, although pricked and actually retaining the hook in their lip or jaw, are not necessarily excited to distrust or suspicion. 1888 Lady D. Hardy II. v. 66 A tall thin church spire pricked the skies. 1925 A. Huxley 25 Jan. (1969) 241 That half century knocked a lot of complacency out of the world and pricked a great many very pleasant bubbles. 1931 A. Uttley vi. 79 Becky and Joshua sitting by the fire, pricking the shining green fruit with darning-needles, their stained hands wet with juice. 1971 W. Golding (1973) 20 The Liar leapt as if the soldier had pricked him with a spear. 2005 (Nexis) 29 Oct. 28 Roast them [sc. chestnuts] making sure you've pricked the skins first to avoid the inevitable explosions which will otherwise occur. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 56v Yuel mete..if it..prickeþ þe stomake, it is I-picchid & I-pricked & compelliþ it to passe out. 1745 D. Hay tr. L. Lémery 148 Mustard-seed pricks the Eyes with its sharp Salts. a1894 R. L. Stevenson (1896) iii. vi. 274 My blood came hot and cold, tears pricked my eyes, my head whirled. 1950 8 Dec. 3/1 Sick with disappointment, she said, ‘Never mind,’ and hung up. Tears pricked her eyes. 1980 T. Ireland ii. 16 Catherine felt tears suddenly prick her eyes. 2002 (Nexis) 24 Feb. I felt tears prick my eyes. the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > cause injury or disease of horse [verb (transitive)] > disorders of feet or hooves > caused by shoeing 1591 J. Florio 35 I will goe hyre a horse, for mine was so prickt yesterdaie, that he can not goe. 1592 R. Greene sig. Cv His horse..halted right downe:..I wondred at it, and thought he was prickt. a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Spanish Curat iii. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Fv/2 You shall have the tenth horse I prick, to pray for. 1725 R. Bradley at Prickt By the negligence or unskilfulness of the farrier they are prick'd in driving the nails. 1788 15 Oct. 3/3 Now it is well known to every gentleman at Newmarket, that [the horse called] Sir Peter was pricked in shoeing. 1831 W. Youatt xvi. 304 No one who considers the thinness of the crust..will blame him [sc. the smith] for sometimes pricking the horse. 1952 E. F. Davies vi. 115 I went back..to get my second horse, only to find it dead lame, having been pricked when it was shod. the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > sorcerer or magician > witch > [verb (intransitive)] > detect by pricking the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > sorcerer or magician > witch > [verb (transitive)] > detect by pricking 1597 King James VI & I (1924) 23 [The devil] giues them his marke vpon..their bodie, which remaines..insensible how soeuer it be nipped or pricked by any. 1661 in R. Pitcairn III. 602 The Magistrat and Minister caused Johne Kinkaid, the comon pricker, to prik hir, and found tuo marks upon hir, which he called the Devill his markis. 1999 (Nexis) 17 Feb. 25 Despite spending weeks carefully instructing the locals in the art of 'pricking' witches to prove their complicity in dark Satanic rites, none of the unfortunates dragged in chains before the courts were convicted. the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > by boring, piercing, or perforating > by sharp-pointed instrument > by pricking 1678 J. Moxon I. ii. 28 A Prick-punch is a piece of temper'd Steel with a round point at one end, to prick a round mark in Cold iron. 1680 J. Moxon I. xii. 214 Prick there an Hole for a mark. 1728 E. Chambers (at cited word) Pounce, A little Heap of Charcoal-Dust, inclosed in some open Stuff; to be pass'd over Holes prick'd in a Work, in order to mark the Lines or Designs thereof on a Paper placed underneath. 1765 J. Kirkpatrick tr. S. A. D. Tissot 406 The Head or Bowl of it [sc. a tobacco pipe] was wrapped up in a Paper, in which several Holes were pricked. 1807 T. Young I. x. 94 By pricking a number of points through it, so as to mark the copy. 1876 E. Dowden 22 A vibrant tongue Had in a moment pricked upon my brow The mystic mark. 1894 6 May 10/1 With a carpet needle prick holes along the two sides of the box where the ribbon is shown in the design. 1922 W. J. V. Osterhout (1924) 27 It is sufficient to prick a hole in the membrane which surrounds the egg. 1979 E. Luxton ii. 20 Great care should be taken that the holes are pricked accurately, as the finished appearance of the lace depends largely on a good pricking. 2003 (Nexis) 21 Mar. The Queen in an ancient ritual of selection has literally pricked a hole in a piece of parchment bearing Sue's name with a silver bodkin. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Talking Oak xviii, in (new ed.) II. 68 I swear (and else may insects prick Each leaf into a gall). the world > food and drink > hunting > shooting > shoot game [verb (transitive)] > shoot without killing 1900 ‘Blagdon’ 89 There is a tendency to take long shots at birds which are really beyond sporting range, with the result that a large number of birds are ‘pricked’, or slightly wounded, without being brought to bag. 1916 39 To be continually killing more than one bird at a shot will make you suspected. It results in a waste of birds, on account of the number that get ‘pricked’, and die. the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)] > afflict with pangs society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > repentance or contrition > repent (sin, wrongdoing, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > affect with remorse > prick, smite, etc., with remorse OE tr. Defensor (1969) xvi. 155 Non est stimulatus in tristitia delicti: he nys gepricud on unrotnysse gyltes. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 180 Teares prikeð him & ne ȝeueð him neauer pes. c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) iv. 5 Ȝe saie in ȝour hertes and beþ prikked in ȝour chouches. c1395 G. Chaucer 1038 O thyng biseke I yow..That ye ne prike with no tormentynge This tendre mayden. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 2628 (MED) Þe pite of þe Persens him prickis in his saule. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) iv. 5 If thai pryk vs in forthynkynge of our synne. 1530 J. Palsgrave 666/1 As any displeasure pricketh one at the herte. 1593 Sir P. Sidney ii. 106 Gynecia opening her eyes wildly vpon her, pricked with the flames of loue, & the torments of her owne conscience. 1694 F. Bragge xiii. 445 Let those who find themselves pricked by what is now said take care that their religion be more pure. 1794 T. Rutledge 85 Time was, when the commission of the smallest sin..would have pricked their conscience. 1874 L. Stephen 1st Ser. 22 His conscience pricks him so much that he cannot rest. 1952 N. Mandela (1978) ii. iii. 39 The racial policies of the Government have pricked the conscience of all men of good will. 1984 R. Thomas ii. 25 Jealousy still pricked her. 2002 K. Matinuddin ix. 197 The fact that it caused cancer and birth abnormalities much later did not prick the conscience of those who had used Agent Orange. 3. the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > suffer or cause type of pain [verb (intransitive)] > prick or tingle society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > repentance or contrition > be repentant or contrite [verb (intransitive)] > of conscience: to prick or murmur OE Ælfric (Cambr. Gg.3.28) vi. 53 Ðornas priciað. a1200 (?OE) MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 207 Þe þornes swiðe prikeden. ?a1200 (?OE) (1896) 33 Hyt pricaþ innan þan sculdru and on þan hriȝȝe swilce þar þornas on sy. 1340 (1866) 148 Verst he ssel þerto do þe smeringes and þe plastres of zuete warningges; Efterward, yef þet ne is naȝt worþ, þe poudres efterward and prekiinde [c1450 Bk. Vices & Virtues fretynge poudres and scharpe] of harde wyþniminge. c1395 G. Chaucer 1635 Thanne is..no thyng may me displese Saue o thyng priketh in my conscience. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) 2450 Thanne agayn shall come to thee Sighes and pleyntes, with newe woo, That no ycchyng prikketh soo. 1546 J. Heywood ii. ix. sig. L It pricketh betymes that will be a good thorne. 1625 F. Bacon (new ed.) 20 It is but like the Thorn, or Bryar, which prick, and scratch, because they can doe no other. 1747 J. Wesley cxl. 114 Regard not though it prick or shoot for a Time. 1872 Ld. Tennyson 14 At times the spires and turrets half-way down Prick'd thro' the mist. 1906 C. M. Doughty I. ii. 67 Rose Hildegond, encumbered her blue eyes, Of acrid mist, which in her nosthrils, pricks. 1979 C. Milne II. i. v. 54 But at the same time I could notice here and there the minute, fragile swards of grass that had suddenly begun to prick through the bare earth. 1987 S. Johnson xvii. 176 He could feel the tears pricking at his eyelids. 2004 (Nexis) 20 Aug. When the Cardiff sky began to darken and the first stars pricked through the dusk. the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > choose [verb (transitive)] the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > sorcerer or magician > witch > [verb (intransitive)] > detect by pricking 1828 23 Aug. 3 [A grave-digger] so well acquainted with the ground, crowded as it was, that he could prick for room in little or no time. 1836 B. Disraeli (1885) 176 To arrange a whitebait dinner at Blackwall, or prick for an excursion to Richmond or Beulah Spa. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Pricking for a soft plank, selecting a place on the deck for sleeping upon. 1895 J. Chamberlain 14 May There were witch-finders in the Middle Ages who pricked for witches. the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > sting or bite a1200 (?OE) MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 191 (MED) Neddre..attreð hwat heo prikeð. a1425 Daily Work (Arun.) in C. Horstmann (1895) I. 135 (MED) Þis flie..lightid on his forheuid & prikkid him a litell. ?a1425 (Claud.) (1850) Ecclus. xxvi. 10 Gloss. A scorpioun, that makith fair semelaunt with the face and prickith with the tail. 1484 W. Caxton tr. iv. iii The scorpion..prycketh sore with his taylle. 1569 T. Blague 24 (heading) Of a Husbandman pricked by a Bee. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. 260 There are always swarms of them [sc. insects] buzzing about People, and continually pricking of them. 1993 (Nexis) 13 Sept. d2 During the first full day of Kings training camp, a pack of bees pricked three players. 1999 1 Apr. 16/2 So he [sc. a bee] used his stinger and pricked the boy. 5. society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or penetrate (of weapon) [verb (transitive)] > strike with pointed weapon > strike at with pointed weapon 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 473 Sum brak a pott, sum pyrlit [v.r. prikkit] at his E. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. cclvjv Who can doubt any longer, but that you pricke at relygion? 1618 W. Cowper 19 Hee would sit alone all day in his chamber, pricking at Flyes with a sharpe bodkin. 1640 W. Lithgow (rev. ed.) i. 3 Good and godly Kings, so pricked at, and wounded by the viperous murmurings of miscreant villaines. 1759 W. Hawkins iii. 44 Prick at it with the sword. 1837 T. Carlyle III. ii. i. 102 Thus Marat,..is, as the Debate goes on, prickt at again by some dextrous Girondin. 1863 M. Oliphant I. xv. 255 All his own duties pricked at his heart with bitter reminders in that moment. 1949 E. Bowen 51 The brittle city spires pricked at the skyline. 1970 J. Dickey (1983) 148 The arrows lay—or stood—rigidly the feathers bristling when I moved a little, and the points pricking at me. 1996 (Nexis) 16 Apr. 1 c The students watched a whole chicken cook over a fire, while a woman wearing a long apron stood pricking at it with a stick. the mind > will > intention > intend [verb (transitive)] > have as purpose or object society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > archery > practise archery [verb (intransitive)] > types of 1545 R. Ascham i. f. 41 Thys prayse belongeth to stronge shootynge and drawynge of myghtye bowes not to pricking and nere shotinge. 1555 J. Bradford Let. July in J. Foxe (1570) II. xi. 1816/2 Let Christ be your scope and marke to pricke at: let hym be your patron to worke by. a1575 N. Harpsfield (1878) (modernized text) 94 His authors..roved far from the mark they should prick at. 1622 M. Drayton xxvi. 122 With Broad-arrow, or But, or Prick, or Rouing Shaft, At Markes full fortie score, they vs'd to Prick, and Roue. 1634 G. Markham vi. 43 Great Strings and little Strings be for diuers purposes, the great string is more sure for the Bow, more stable to pricke withall, but flower for the cast. the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [verb (intransitive)] > turn sour 1594 H. Plat 66 If they [sc. wines] pricke a little they haue a decoction of honie. 1623 G. Markham i. ii. 145 (margin) A remedie for Bastard if it pricke. 1651 J. Howell 30 By reason of the over delicatnes therof it cannot brook the Sea any long time, but it will prick. 1682 73 Draw half your Wine into another Butt; then take your Lags of all sorts that do not prick, and so much Syrup as will not prick. 1731 P. Shaw ii. 132 All the wine that pricks, or turns eager upon their hands, is also condemned to the still. 7. the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > order Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) > [verb (intransitive)] > run across open ground > make a track 1486 Bk. Huntyng l. 1632 in (2005) 104 380 And when he renneth in the way, dry or weete, Then men may fynde fostalx of clees or of feete. That pryckyth the haare aye when he dooth soo, And repryckyth then iff he agaynne goo.] 1602 ii. v. 937 By that I knewe that they had the hare,..and by and by I might see him sore and resore, prick and reprick. 1632 (ed. 2) iii. xiv. 176 For when she [sc. a hare]..Beateth the plaine high-waie where you may yet perceiue her footing, it is said she..Pricketh. 1699 B. E. Pricketh, the Footing of a Hare on the hard Highway, when it can be perceived. the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting specific animals > [verb (transitive)] > hunt hare > track a1673 J. Caryl in C. H. Spurgeon (1870) I. Ps. xvii. 11 Hunters, who go poring upon the ground to prick the hare, or to find the print of the hare's claw. 1680 J. Dryden iv. i. 42 You have been pricking up and down here upon a cold scent. 1756 No. 105. ⁋7 We were often delayed by trying if we could prick a hare. 1847 R. S. Surtees ii. 48 ‘There's one great advantage of hare-hunting, that you need never give her up—never as long as a hound can own the scent.’ ‘And when they can't, you begin to prick her, don't you?’ 1888 F. T. Elworthy (at cited word) To examine the mud in a gateway or road to see if a hare has passed, is to ‘prick the hare’. the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > suffer or cause type of pain [verb (intransitive)] > prick or tingle > suffer pricking or tingling 1850 Ld. Tennyson xlix. 72 When the blood creeps, and the nerves prick And tingle. View more context for this quotation 1868 R. Browning I. iii. 160 Her palsied limb 'gan prick and promise life At touch o' the bedclothes merely. a1943 L. Binyon (1944) 1 Now is the time for the burning of the leaves. They go to the fire; the nostril pricks with smoke. 1973 W. Ihimaera xix. 73 My eyes prick with tears. 1989 T. Parks 96 She found her eyes pricking with tears. II. To urge with a sharp point or spur. 9. figurative. the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate c1230 (?a1200) [implied in: (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 120 Seint pawel hefde..flesches pricunge. (at pricking n. 2)]. c1385 G. Chaucer 1043 May wol haue no slogardye anyght; The sesoun priketh euery gentil herte. c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer 1192 An huntyng wol this lusty freshe queene, So priketh hire this newe joly wo. c1475 (c1399) (Cambr. Ll.4.14) (1936) ii. 122 (MED) Pouerte hem prickid full preuyliche to pleyne. 1526 W. Bonde ii. sig. Qiii Now prycked or stered by the consideracion of his feruent loue. 1568 v. iv. sig. F.iv Well, nature pricketh me some remorse on thee to haue. 1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus xiv. i. 2 The Queene ever at his elbow to pricke and proke him forward. 1675 tr. W. Camden (rev. ed.) iv. 622 His perverse Obstinacy..did so prick her forward to use Severity. 1742 Rules, Orders, & Notices Court Comm. Pleas sig. B2v/2, in The common stirrers up of all vice and naughtines, provoke and pricke men forward to do all evil. 1868 J. R. Lowell Under Willows in (1879) 375 Pricked on by knightly spur of female eyes. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus lxiii. 76 Let a fury, a frenzy prick him to return to the wood again. 1954 G. Greene Hint of Explanation in (1972) 367 When we were through we didn't speak at once and I had to prick him into continuing. a1971 G. E. Evans in G. Jones & I. F. Elis (1971) 35 Proper handy with his wits was Wil Flagons when something pricked him enough to use them. 2003 (Nexis) 1 Aug. 105 It may well be that the face-burning memory of his Second in Greats pricked him on..to a prodigious programme of reading. 1546 J. Heywood i. xi. sig. Diii When prouander pryckt him a lytle tyne. 1550 R. Crowley sig. Biiv The paisant knaues be to welthy, prouender pricketh them. 1581 T. Nuce tr. Octavia (new ed.) iv. iv, in T. Newton et al. tr. Seneca f. 183 Ah, Prouender pricks that vile rebellious race. 1632 R. Brome v. v. l. 43 Do's your Prouender prick you? 1658 T. Wall 58 Profit pricks forward zeal, as provender does the Ass. a1688 J. Bunyan Expos. Gen. in (1861) II. 494/1 When provender pricks us, we are apt to be as the horse or mule, that is without understanding. 1728 N. Bailey (ed. 4) Spoken of a horse, or the like, when Provender pricks him. society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > herding, pasturing, or confining > [verb (transitive)] > drive away or to market > with goad c1250 in (1931) 28 597 (MED) Þe asse is preked corn to geten, ant þan ne scal hoe þrof nout heten. c1300 St. Francis (Laud) 249 in C. Horstmann (1887) 61 An Asse..is..I-priked and i-scourget. c1330 (?c1300) (Auch.) 229 Þo prikede is stede sire Gii. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) 4578 (MED) Of ryche atyre ys here auaunce, Prykyng here hors with olypraunce. ?a1475 (Winch.) (1908) 359 Prikkyn, or punchyn, as men doþ beestis, pungo. 1530 J. Palsgrave 666/1 I pricke an oxe, or any other beest with a gade. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy ix. xxvii. 334 The Romane horsemen pricked and gallopped their horses to flanke them. 1632 W. Lithgow ix. 395 The French man hangeth in the stirrop, at the full reach of his great toe.., pricking his horse with neck-stropiat spurres. 1737 S. Berington 82 Short Goads to prick on their Dromedaries. 1753 Suppl. Prick, or Pinch, in the manege, is to give a horse a gentle touch of the spur, without clapping them hard to him. 1893 S. Baring-Gould I. vii. 102 He pricked his horse on, but she held to the bridle and arrested it. 1930 R. M. Coates 182 They had slowed to a rambling walk, but now he pricked his horse and started suddenly ahead. 1999 (Nexis) 10 July 4 Just like a cowboy riding a horse, he needs to prick his horse with the spur attached to his riding shoes to get that horse to run faster. 11. society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > use spurs society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > ride rapidly > by urging on one's horse the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] c1300 St. John Evangelist (Laud) 423 in C. Horstmann (1887) 415 (MED) Wel i-Armed þe maister cam prikie and ride faste. c1330 in T. Wright (1839) 327 (MED) Whan he hath i-gadered markes and poundes, He priketh out of toune wid haukes and wid houndes. c1400 (a1376) W. Langland (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. ii. 151 (MED) Soþnesse..prikede [v.rr. prykkyd, preked, prekith] forþ on his palfray & passide hem alle. tr. Palladius (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iv. 878 (MED) Folis..from high quyete & reste..may be stered forto prike. c1450 (1904) I. 225 (MED) Þai..drafe faste & garte þer carte ryn als faste as þe hors mot preke. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll.) 910 And anone the yoman com rydynge and pryckyng aftir as fast as he myght. a1500 in R. H. Robbins (1952) 56 (MED) If þou be a bachelar & wold[est ever thryve] Prekyst out of contre & bryng[est home a wyfe]. 1590 E. Spenser i. i. sig. A3 A Gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine. 1667 J. Milton ii. 536 Before each Van Pric forth the Aerie Knights, and couch thir spears. View more context for this quotation 1808 W. Scott i. xx. 41 For here be some have pricked as far, On Scottish ground, as to Dunbar. 1884 J. Payne tr. I. 283 Presently, I espied a horseman pricking after me. 1940 T. H. White xxx. 200 He rode on to Carbonek, where he heard the abbey clock smite as he was pricking through the forest. society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > ride rapidly > by urging on one's horse the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. 1191 (MED) This man..goth to prike and prance aboute. a1475 (c1441) in R. H. Robbins (1959) 180 Now list me nedyr prike ne prawnce, My pride is put to pouerte. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) 344 in (1934) ii. 553 (MED) The Goos may gagle; the Hors may prike & praunce. 1573 G. Gascoigne 312 My Phillip can both prycke and prance. 1590 ‘Pasquil’ sig. Ev I trust they shall see me pricke it, and praunce it, like a Caualiero. a1891 (1891) Mar. 160/1 Stallion black, with feet a-dance, In the world to prick and prance. the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > future [verb (intransitive)] > be imminent the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > approach, approximate, or border upon 1565 T. Stapleton f. 15v Euer sence the faith hath ben knowen and preached..,which pricketh nowe fast vpon a thousand yeares. a1566 R. Edwards (1571) sig. Givv It pricketh fast vpon noone. 1574 A. Golding in J. Baret To Rdr. It would pricke neere the learned tungs in strength. 1577 R. Stanyhurst Hist. Irelande iii. 89/1 in R. Holinshed I You may growe to..that hoarie Winter, on whiche you see me your father fast pricking. 1610 L. Andrewes 25 We fall into the olde contradiction of Core: which is all one with the newe paritie, and confusion of the Anabaptists, or those that pricke fast towards them. III. To put into some position or condition by piercing, pinning, or transfixing. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > with specific garments > other a1275 Body & Soul (Trin. Cambr. B.14.39) in C. Brown (1932) 31 (MED) Me prikit him in on vul clohit & legget him by þe wout. c1300 (Laud Misc. 108) (1889) 25 Ȝwi listou þere so bareside, Ipricked in þat pore schroud? a1450 (1969) l. 1792 Heyl, prinse, proude prekyd in palle! 1522 (de Worde) (1909) sig. A.ii I am not worthely wrapped nor went But powerly prycked in pouerte. ?1544 J. Heywood sig. B.iv But prycke them [sc. women] and pynne them as nyche, as ye wyll And yet wyll they loke for pynnynge styll. a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley (1656) ii. 16 Prickd up in Clothes, Why should we feare our rising? 1638 R. Brathwait (new ed.) i. sig. D4 On Earth she only wished To be painted, pricked, kissed. 1790 D. Morison 81 Ne'er price a weardless, wanton elf, That nought but pricks an' prins herself. 1813 E. Picken I. 108 I' the vera front in state, Forsooth, ye maun be prickit. 1894 R. O. Heslop Preek, to adorn. ‘She's a' preeked up wi' ribbons an' laces.’ the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > fasten by thrusting in point society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > fasten [verb (transitive)] > with stake a1425 (Stonyhurst) f. 53v To..prilke [read prikke]..configere. c1450 in T. Austin (1888) 82 (MED) Medle al togidre into a faire vessell and put hit in þe pigge wombe..And þen sowe the hole togidre, or take a prik and prik him togidur. ?a1475 Noble Bk. Cookry in at Priken Rolle up the leske and prik them close. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 67 An old hat, & the humor of forty fancies prickt in't for a feather. View more context for this quotation 1647 J. Wildman sig. F4v To Sit..like so many Plovers pricked down for stales. 1780 W. Forbes iii. 14 The clout about me shou'd be pricked At the kirk-door. 1827 W. Tennant iv. 133 The warden's trunk-hose to his fecket Wi' gowden corken-priens was pricket. the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > transfix the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > transfix > on the point of an instrument c1475 (a1400) Awntyrs Arthure (Taylor) in J. Robson (1842) 5 (MED) Opon the chefe of hur cholle A padok prykette [c1440 Thornton pykit; v.r. pikes] on a polle. c1559 R. Hall (1655) xii. 211 The head..was pricked upon a pole and set on high upon London Bridge. 1615 G. Sandys 27 The cookes, who..slicing it into little gobbets, prick it on a prog of iron, and hang it in a fornace. c1650 Childe Maurice xxviii, in F. J. Child (1886) II. iv. 266/1 Child Maurice head he did cleeue. And he pricked itt on his swords poynt. 1683 J. Moxon II. 78 They..prick the Oynion fast upon the end of a small long Stick. 1574 J. Baret P 649 To pricke out crowes eyes, configere cornicum oculos. 1574 J. Baret P 646 Oculis punctu erutis. Eies pricked out. 1599 W. Shakespeare i. iv. 67 A small..Gnat, not half so big as a round litle worme, prickt [1597 Pickt] from the lazie finger of a man. 1645 R. Harwood 3 Please you to observe the comfortable lessons I shall prick out of it. 1683 J. Moxon II. 161 If the Matrice be too thin on the right or left side, or both; They prick up that side,..and so raise a Bur upon that side. a1692 N. Lee (1711) 67 Cut down those Thorns that prick'd out both my Eyes. 1798 T. R. Bentley (ed. 3) i. 59 Do they not see that the life has been pinched and pricked out of..the dead and mortified limbs of the empire? 1873 5 June A wretch who pricked out the eyes of a chaffinch to improve its song. 1907 26 Feb. 8/5 Open each seed acne with the point of a fine cambric needle. The hardened mass must be pressed or pricked out. 1962 N. A. Bendtz in F. H. Littell 24 Nor can human knowledge vanquish the anxiety of conscience and fear of death. Therefore, knowledge must be mortified, its eyes pricked out. 1990 12 Aug. i3/1 The train bandit..pricked out his eyes with ingeniously contrived needle devices. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > planting > plant plants [verb (transitive)] > plant in small holes 1638 tr. F. Bacon 82 A young Slip, or Cions is not so well nourished, if it bee pricked into the Ground. 1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 62 in Prick them forth at distances. 1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 73 in Prick out your Seedlings. 1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville 179 Make a Hole..at every Foot distance, and throw a Nut or Acorn into it; after which, you fill up the Hole again..; which is called pricking Fruit into the Ground. 1789 11 51 My first parcel [of seeds] was pricked in upon a small garden bed. 1850 G. Glenny 22 The seedlings, when grown enough, may be pricked out into small pots. 1854 15 ii. 408 Cabbage plants are pricked in in March. 1870 W. Robinson (rev. ed.) 138 Rotten hot-bed dung is..merely ‘pricked in’, as gardeners term it, that is, incorporated only with the top stratum of the soil. 1882 21 Jan. 48/3 The most critical time with seedling ferns is when they require pricking off for the first time. 1913 J. Weathers vii. 67 Annuals sown under glass are first of all ‘pricked out’ into other pots or boxes when large enough to handle. 1952 C. E. L. Phillips vi. 55 When the youngsters have developed their first pair of true leaves, prick them off into other boxes or pots. 1960 20 Feb. 9/4 Perennial crops..should be given a good dressing of fertilizer lightly pricked into the soil before growth commences. 1990 Nov. 70/3 Prick out into trays or 3in (7.5cm) pots and plant out in the autumn. society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > surfacing or cladding > clad or cover [verb (transitive)] > plaster > processes involved in plastering 1779 [implied in: Ld. Mahon in (Royal Soc.) 68 887 Common coarse lime and hair (such as generally serves for the pricking-up-coat in plastering). (at pricking-up n. 1)]. 1823 P. Nicholson 373 A coat of plaster, which is pricked-up for the floated work. 1873 E. Spon 1st Ser. 122/1 The wall is first pricked up with a coat of lime and hair. society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > propel boat by oars, paddle, or pole [verb (transitive)] > pole or punt 1891 26 May 4/8 A man or woman who cannot run or prick a punt, scull, or handle a Canadian canoe, is regarded as an outsider by his or her friends. 1995 24 May 21/7 The Grand Old Man of Oxford punting, Rivington can prick a pole as easily sitting down as standing up. IV. To mark by or with pricks or dots. 20. society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > notate [verb (transitive)] society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > notate [verb (transitive)] > a book c1390 in C. Brown (1924) 131 (MED) I seiȝ a Clerk a book forþ bringe, Þat prikked was in mony a plas. c1475 (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) 2022 (MED) She [read The] song she prykyd; she nombred notes trew. 1549 in T. Wright (1869) 39 For paper to pryk songes in for the churche..ijd. 1598 R. Dallington sig. V ijv The Italian hath a prouerbe:..The French neither pronounce as they write, nor sing as they pricke, nor thinke as they speake. 1623 in E. F. Rimbault (1872) 58 For pricking of a sett of bookes..iij li. iij s..for pricking in the bookes iij li. xij s. 1668 S. Pepys 24 Mar. (1976) IX. 131 To my chamber to prick out my song, ‘It is Decreed’. 1765 J. Wesley (1872) XIV. 330 They [sc. tunes] are pricked true, exactly as I desire all our congregations may sing them. 1826 W. Scott I. iii. 88 A book having some airs pricked down in it. 1885 R. Holland 269 Prick notes, v., to copy music. 1900 C. E. G. Wright 122 Andrew Melville, who refined the Musick at Aberdeen, composed the common tunes, and prickt all the other music. 1901 F. E. Taylor sig. P5 Prick. To copy music in manuscript. 1920 W. R. Spalding 11 (note) A rather crude English adaptation of the Latin term ‘Punctus contra punctum’ which refers to the notes as punctùs (plural) or dots which were pricked with a stylus into the medieval manuscripts. 2004 23 Sept. 85/2 What Clare regretted being unable to do was to record—‘prick down’—a song as sung. society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > notate [verb (transitive)] > write figures for bell-changes 1843 G. W. Le Fevre I. i. viii. 178 Who can prick the peal of bells—the bobs and treble bobs? 1965 W. G. Wilson vi. 30 The ringer will find the discipline of writing out the changes in full most useful. In past centuries this was termed ‘pricking the changes’. society > authority > office > appointment to office > appoint a person to an office [verb (transitive)] > select for office by ticking list society > communication > indication > marking > mark [verb (transitive)] > with ticks the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > select from a number or for a purpose society > authority > office > appointment to office > appoint a person to an office [verb (transitive)] 1536 J. Husee Let. 18 Nov. in (P.R.O.: SP 1/240) f. 187 If yr lordship do prick in this bocke suche parceles as you will haue. 1557 R. Record sig. Kii First I set theim downe and pricke theim, as here doeth appeare 18.76.62.24.. 1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. iv. f. 74v/2, in R. Holinshed I The Prince..foorthwyth pricketh some suche one of them..who herevpon is Shirife of that shyre, for one whole yeare. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 1 These many then shall die, their names are prickt . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 3 Pricke him downe Antony. View more context for this quotation 1616 B. Jonson Cynthias Revels (rev. ed.) v. ii, in I. 237 Why did the ladies pricke out mee? I am sure there were other gallants. 1654 R. Whitlock 538 Known he is sure, that is pricked down for one of the Judges of the twelve Tribes of Israel. 1681 N. Luttrell 3 Nov. (1857) 141 A list of the sherifs was returned,..where they struck of three from each county,..and the rest are to be presented to his majestie on the 6th when he pricks who shall stand. 1712 H. Wanley 30 Sept. (1989) 274 His Friends have Advised him to Stand as Candidate..and..he desired me to Recommend him to your Favor, in Order to be Pricked by the Heads of Houses, for One of the Two. 1788 J. Beverley 15 Each Person is to prick only one of the three nominated for each Faculty. 1853 W. Jerdan III. vi. 68 My friend was pricked as High Sheriff of the county. 1861 T. Hughes I. vii. 119 What do you think of that fellow..offering..the junior servitor..a bribe of ten pounds to prick him in at chapel when he isn't there? 1907 W. Tuckwell viii. 107 J. G. Wood..was a Bible clerk of Merton,..who pricked Chapel attendance and said grace. 1990 (Nexis) 15 Mar. The Queen pricked the following names of High Sheriffs within the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster on the Lites yesterday. society > communication > record > written record > record in writing [verb (transitive)] c1540 (?a1400) 418 Als put is in poise and prikkit be Ouyd. society > communication > indication > marking > mark [verb (transitive)] > with dots society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > work out a course > mark position on chart society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > perform general or industrial manufacturing processes [verb (transitive)] > other processes 1576 H. Gilbert x. sig. I.i And haue also deuised therein..a precise order to prick the sea carde, together with certaine infallible rules for the shortening of any discouerie. 1598 J. Florio I was but one..to sit at sterne, to pricke my carde, to watch vpon the vpper decke. 1627 J. Smith xv. 73 To learne to..know the tides, your Roomes, pricke your Card, say your Compasse. 1665–76 J. Rea (ed. 2) 5 Prick down a line eight or ten foot long. 1669 S. Sturmy iv. xv. 196 To find the Latitude, Rhomb, and Longitude, and..to prick the same down in a Blank Chart. 1704 J. Harris I. (at cited word) To prick the Chart or Plot at Sea, signifies to make a Point in their Chart whereabout the Ship is now. 1750 J. Atkinson viii. 192 Those places may be pricked down in the Chart, and then with a black Lead Pencil draw Lines from Place to Place. 1772 J. R. Forster tr. L.-A. de Bougainville 413 Pricking off our point at noon upon the chart. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Pricking her off, marking a ship's position upon a chart by the help of a scale and compasses. 1872 95/2 The lights of the eyes..must all be pricked out with a fine needle. 1875 T. Seaton 144 With a very fine steel point prick out lightly the whole pattern. 1903 G. S. Wasson 57 She pricked off a new course for my woman to run, plain as could be. 1940 C. Roth 80 With the aid of this instrument, it was thus possible to prick the chart while at sea. 1992 M. Margetts 23/1 With this method, the basic outline is usually pricked on and the fine details of the pattern are filled in by hand. society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > punctuate [verb (transitive)] 1637 P. Heylyn 161 This is the place at large, so pricked and commade..in the said old booke. V. To insert or stick in as a point. the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > insert something pointed c1450 in T. Austin (1888) 36 (MED) Ley iij lechys on a dysshe, & on euery leche prycke iij Almaundys. c1475 (1969) 30 Pryke not yowr felycytes in thyngys transytorye! ?a1525 (?a1475) Play Sacrament (stage direct.) , in N. Davis (1970) 72 Here shall þe iiij Jewys pryk þer daggerys in iiij quarters, þus sayng. 1594 Sir G. Carey Let. 22 Apr. in I. H. Jeayes (1892) 335 The findinge of his picteur framed in wax, with on of his owne heares prict directely in the hart therof. 1611 R. Cotgrave at Passage So tender that a pinne pricked into it cannot fetch it vp any height. 1675 J. Worlidge (ed. 2) 240 Observe also, that you prick small sticks, in manner of a Hedge, cross wise, athwart all the other by-passages. 1908 B. Stoker (2007) xxiii. 268 Conscience was awake and pricking into him the fact that he had behaved brutally. 1968 4 Oct. 11/1 [The weightlifter had] 47 electrodes pricked into his skin. 1999 4 Feb. a11/3 They [sc. stars] appear as back-lit sugar crystals pricked into the night sky. the world > matter > colour > variegation > spot of colour > spot [verb (transitive)] > speckle 1530 J. Palsgrave 666/1 I pricke full of bowes, as we do a place or a horse whan we go a mayeng, je rame. 1569 E. Fenton tr. P. Boaistuau f. 127v He caused the carkas of Damasus to be drawne out of his tombe, causing the same not only most shamefully to be whipped, pricked full of bodkins, as though he had bene aliue, but in the ende broiled it. 1584 T. Cogan cxl. 125 If it be pricked with cloues it is the better. 1681 N. Grew § i. iii. 276 The Pounced Coral. Corallium punctatum. 'Tis white, and the Surface pricked full of small holes. 1856 E. B. Browning i. 10 Brown hair pricked with grey. 1861 L. L. Noble 139 Belle Isle, a rocky, blue mass, with a wavy outline, rising from the purple main pricked with icebergs. 1881 July 379/2 In several places the band of carved tracery which runs under them [sc. the windows] is pricked with solid lumps of translucent glass, illuminated by the exterior light. 1915 7 Jan. 6/1 The black sky overhead is pricked with myriads of stars. 1968 29 Mar. 9/2 Where can I find a shirt that is not stuffed with cardboard, not pricked with pins and which has a proper soft collar? VI. To stick up as or in a point. the world > space > relative position > vertical position > make vertical [verb (transitive)] > make upright or erect the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > listen attentively [phrase] the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen > listen attentively 1566 W. Adlington tr. Apuleius vii. xxvii. f. 71v I set and pricked vp my longe eares, I ratled my nosethrilles, and cried stoutly. 1581 W. Lowth tr. B. Batt ii. f. 83 Force your mindes hither, and pricke vp your eares, and commit these worthie sayings and prayses of learning vnto your memorie. 1587 G. Turberville f. 101 And prickt his plumes to please his Ladies eyes. a1591 H. Smith (1866–7) I. 207 To put a pedlar's shop upon their backs, and colour their faces, and prick their ruffs, and frizzle their hair. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 176 At which like vnback't colts they prickt their eares. View more context for this quotation a1626 F. Bacon (1798) 268 She pricks up so many Ears. 1682 J. Bunyan 14 At this the Town of Mansoul began to prick up its ears. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 100 The fiery Courser, when he hears..the shouts of War, Pricks up his Ears. View more context for this quotation 1751 Life John Daniel in (1926) I. iv. 46 Thomas..giving a loud yawn, in an instant every ear was pricked up to hear from whence that unusual sound came. 1826 J. W. Croker 26 Oct. I pricked up the ears of curiosity at this exordium. 1858 R. S. Surtees li The roused hounds prick their ears. 1868 J. C. Atkinson 391 Prick up your head, bairn, and deean't luik sae cow'd. 1912 W. Owen 16 Mar. (1967) 124 When I heard this I pricked up my ears the more. 1965 J. Kosinski (1972) viii. 78 When the horse saw me it pricked its ears and tossed its head. 1991 (Nexis) 14 Mar. b3 Players pricked up their ears last summer when they heard about the big money that was flowing. 28. the world > space > relative position > vertical position > be vertical [verb (intransitive)] > be or become upright the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > take note, observe [verb (intransitive)] > give ear, hearken > of the ears 1657 W. Morice v. 55 The full ear [of corn] hangs the head, when the empty pricks up. 1763 J. Clubbe Physiognomy in (1770) I. 22 Their heads were both under water, but that the tips of their ears just pricked up above it. 1828 W. Carr (ed. 2) (at cited word) As't gers pricks up. 1887 W. Besant xv His ears..prick up at the sound of a fiddle. 1905 Sept. 321/2 The spires of churches are to be seen pricking up through the greenery. 1944 D. Welch ii. 41 He remembered flicking the little wheel [of a cigarette-lighter] and watching the flame prick up. 1997 J. Owen 158 The deejay executes a particularly wicked mix and Laura's ears prick up. the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > appear or become visible > as specks 1919 24 Dec. 4/5 A heavy dun-colored mist hung over the Windy City and the electric lights pricked out eerily. 1930 R. Macaulay xx. 305 By two o'clock a few stars had pricked out, tiny candles shaking between the drifting gloom of clouds. 1936 24 June That fine beading of sweat pricked out on his forehead again. 1983 R. Sutcliff (1984) xii. 96 The last dregs of light had drained away, and the first stars pricked out in a sky of witchball green. Phrasesthe world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > sew or ornament textile fabric [verb (intransitive)] > sew 1584 J. Lyly v. iv. sig. F3v The one pricking in cloutes haue nothing els to thinke on. 1594 J. Lyly i. iii. sig. B2 My daughter..shall prick on a clout till her fingers ake. 1615 H. Crooke 274 Women..liue an idle and sedentarie life, pricking for the most part vppon a clout. 1685 H. Bold & W. Bold tr. in xx. 76 Those Lasses nice and strange, That keep shops in the Change, Sit pricking of Clouts, And giving of flouts, They seldom abroad do range. 1760 (single sheet) There were Gossips and Tatlers, Never-work, Prick-clout, With Danner and Panner, and Toss-cap-about. 1824 W. Scott I. xii. 269 Ye prick-the-clout loon. society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > fast and loose > play fast and loose [verb (intransitive)] society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > fast and loose > [noun] > player 1758 O. Goldsmith tr. J. Marteilhe II. 200 Players at Slight of Hand; others who invite the ignorant to prick in the Belt. 1763 4 548 Prick in the Garter,..a knave well known By silly rusticks,—when their money's gone; For near his side, to make the cheat go down, Stands his accomplice, like a simple clown, Who pricks, and ev'ry time is sure to win; But if another pricks—he's taken in. a1772 (1773) II. 66 This is the identical Jack, who played prick in the loop with so many Lord Lieutenants, and cheated them all. 1786 H. Lemoine II. vi. 84 Pollard mentioned pricking the belt, selling the horse, throwing the dice, hiding under and hustling in the hat. 1815 45 234 He had better lose his money in a more fashionable way than by pricking in the garter. 1826 in W. Hone (1827) II. 1309 Here is pricking in the garter. a1861 R. Rae in W. Hunter (1867) iii. 37 To prick-the-garter gaed the law. 1891 R. Ford xvi. 313 Prick-the-loops, wha are sae familiar wi' the hangman's loop that they've turned the idea into business, and set up wi' their garter. 1896 11 359 There are..a number of references to popular sports, traditions, and customs, e.g...tenir les correies (to hold the strap at ‘prick the garter’). 1995 (Nexis) 22 Mar. 18 In fast-and-loose (also called prick-the-garter), ‘a belt or strap was doubled and rolled up with the loop in the centre and placed on edge on a table.’ This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < |
