prickles

Noun

prickle (plural prickles)

1. A sharp and often small point, especially that of a plant; a thorn.
   • The plants that have prickles are, thorns, black and white, briar, rose, lemon-trees,[…]1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “VI. Century.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William...
   1. A sharp, hard extension of the cortex and epidermis of some plants (such as roses), as distinguished from a thorn.
2. (figuratively) A tingling sensation of mild discomfort.
3. (Ulster, in plural) Gooseflesh.
4. A kind of willow basket.
   • If I had but a pottle of Sacke, like a sharp prickle, / To knock my nose against when I am noddingc. 1623–1624 – 1630s, John Fletcher, Philip Massinger, “The Lovers Progres”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC...
5. (UK, obsolete) A sieve of hazelnuts, weighing about fifty pounds.

See all 9 meanings of prickle