pricking

[ prik-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that pricks.
2. a prickly or smarting sensation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pricking¹

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

Example Sentences

“Malevolent, enraged at what she perceived to be a lack of respect, stormed the castle during the baby’s celebration, then cursed the child to die the day the baby girl turned fifteen by pricking her finger on a spindle.”

From Literature

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

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

The authors found that the three variants were associated with a lower pain threshold in response to skin pricking after prior exposure to mustard oil, but not in response to heat or pressure.

From Science Daily

The current gold standard test—only conducted in specialized allergy clinics—involves pricking the skin and injecting a small amount of penicillin.

From Scientific American