prick
noun
a puncture made by a needle, thorn, or the like.
had pricked
-
past perfectof prick.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This isn’t the first time she has been at a loss for words; 20 years earlier, at 16, “the language that had pricked and confined her like clothing made from a thousand needles abruptly disappeared.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2023
But in nine of the cats there was a subsequent uptick in their movement when their name was mentioned, suggesting they had pricked up their ears.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 4, 2019
Evidently the Briton in the street had pricked up ears at "sponge cake," grinned approval at the project of ending John Bull's "henpecked husbandhood."
From Time Magazine Archive
“Because I’m scared of the ambulance,” said Francis, but I couldn’t hear the rest because Veronica, whose ears had pricked up at the word ambulance, broke in excitedly.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
As I scrubbed the makeup from my chin, I wiped the spot where Falconer's dagger had pricked the skin.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
