Search the Dictionary

The act of piercing or puncturing with a sharp point. "There is that speaketh like the prickings of a sword." Prov. xii. 18 [1583].

The first coating of plaster in work of three coats upon laths. Its surface is scratched once to form a better key for the next coat. In the United States called scratch coat. Brande & C.

Pricking with a needle; a needle prick. Specifically (Med.):

A pricking; stimulation. [Obs.] That acid piecering spirit which, with such activity and compunction, invadeth the brains and nostrils. Sir T. Browne.

Pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent. "His poignant spear." Spenser. "Poynaunt sauce." Chaucer.

The act of pricking, or the sensation of being pricked; a sharp, stinging pain; figuratively, remorse. "The pricks of conscience." A. Tucker.

A pointed instrument for pricking or puncturing, as a goad, an awl, a skewer, etc.

A puncturing, or pricking; a puncture.

Causing a sharp sensation, as of the taste, smell, or feelings; pricking; biting; acrid; as, a pungent spice. Pungent radish biting infant's tongue. Shenstone. The pungent grains of titillating dust. Pope.

The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.

The first coat in plastering; -- called also scratchwork. See Pricking-up.

Quick, pungent, lively pain; a pricking local pain, as the pain from puncture by nettles. "In pain's smart." Chaucer.

To color, as the flesh, by pricking in coloring matter, so as to form marks or figures which can not be washed out.

Fig.: Resembling a thistle or thistles; sharp; pricking. In such a world, so thorny, and where none Finds happiness unblighted, or, if found, Without some thistly sorrow at its side. Cowper.

Having or consisting of three coats; -- applied to plastering which consists of pricking-up, floating, and a finishing coat; or, as called in the United States, a scratch coat, browning, and finishing coat.

To have, or to cause, a sharp, thrilling sensation, or a slight pricking sensation. They suck pollution through their tingling vein. Tickell.

Rough; pricking; piercing. [R.] "Helping all urchin blasts." Milton.