pricking

American  

[prik-ing] / ˈprɪk ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that pricks.

2. a prickly or smarting sensation.

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Etymology

Origin of pricking

before 1000; Middle English; Old English pricung; see prick, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

That’s where it started when I was pricking that bubble of comedians who think they’re changing the world.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2025

Blood obtained by pricking a baby’s heel was collected on filter paper and tested for phenylketonuria, a rare metabolic condition that, if untreated, causes intellectual disability.

From Scientific American • Nov. 13, 2023

The researchers found that people carrying three so-called Neanderthal variants in the gene SCN9A, which is implicated in sensory neurons, are more sensitive to pain from skin pricking after prior exposure to mustard oil.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2023

He added: "We are determined to bring someone to justice and if your conscience isn't pricking you after all this time maybe a £50,000 reward will."

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2022

Hear them yelling things, and even though he couldn't make out what they were yelling, he could still feel the sounds of their voices pricking him like staples in the back.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds