pricking

About 0.32 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb present participle and gerund of prick
2. adjective That pricks; pricky

   pricking pains

3. noun The act of piercing or puncturing with a sharp point.

   The prickings of thorns

4. noun A sensation that pricks, or causes sharp emotional pain.

   the prickings of conscience

5. noun The driving of a nail into a horse's foot so as to produce lameness.
6. noun A nicking.
7. noun The tracking of a hare by its footprints.
8. noun (Can we verify this sense?) Dressing oneself for show; prinking.

Similar words

prick up slit prickle notch goad scratch shaft twinge sting bite

Often followed by

the of up and out sensation her his pain in

Word family

prick pricked pricks