[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/prickle/)

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# prickle

noun (a prickle, prickles); verb (prickle, prickles, prickled, prickling)

«prickle» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A small sharp point on a plant or animal, like on a hedgehog, holly leaf or bramble. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#m1)
2. A tingling or stinging feeling on your skin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#m2)
3. (verb) To give a stinging, tingling feeling: «The wool prickled my neck.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#m3)
4. (verb) When your skin or the back of your neck prickles, you feel fear or excitement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science, prickles and spines protect plants and animals: a hedgehog rolls up and shows its prickles. In stories, «the hairs on the back of her neck prickled» tells the reader the character senses danger. Phrases: «a prickle of fear», «prickle with tears» (eyes stinging before crying).

### Examples

- The hedgehog's prickles kept the fox away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x1)
- My new jumper prickles. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x2)
- I felt a prickle of fear when the door creaked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x3)
- Watch out for the prickles on the rose stem. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x4)
- Her eyes prickled with tears. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x5)
- Mole felt the back of his neck prickle in the Wild Wood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x6)
- Holly leaves have prickles on their edges. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x7)
- But one of the tree’s prickles pierced his finger and caused great pain and inflammation, so that the young Prince fell down in a fainting fit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/#x8)

### Note

Prickly is the adjective: «a prickly cactus», «a prickly person» (easily annoyed). Strictly, botanists say prickles grow on the skin of a stem (rose), while thorns and spines are changed branches or leaves, but in everyday talk they are mixed.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «prickle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«prickle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/prickle.html) on Mova free.