prickly heat

noun

, Pathology.

1. a cutaneous eruption accompanied by a prickling and itching sensation, due to an inflammation of the sweat glands.

prickly heat

noun

1. See miliaria
   a nontechnical name for miliaria

Word History and Origins

Origin of prickly heat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1730–40

Example Sentences

With a prickly heat suffusing my whole body and a melting sensation at the collar I struggled through the wretched lyric once.

From Project Gutenberg

Prickly heat produces more or less discomfort but usually little or no itching.

From Project Gutenberg

With solicitude he glanced down at the small, moist, pink, lumpy bundle of prickly heat and sore gums.

From Project Gutenberg

On Lucknow station platform he watched young De Castro, all covered with prickly-heat, get into a second-class compartment.

From Project Gutenberg

He was now in that unpleasant state of prickly heat when testy old gentlemen could commit slaughter with ecstasy.

From Project Gutenberg