Prickles
/ˈprɪkəlz/noun
Small, sharp projections or the sharp, tingling sensations caused by them.
Did you know?The word began as a diminutive form meaning a small prick, linking modern prickles to medieval descriptions of sharp points and thornlike projections.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*prik-
“A sharp point or pricking action; the reconstructed Germanic source of prick-related words”
Old English
Old English
prica
“A point, prick, or small sharp projection”
14th Century
Middle English
prikel
“A small sharp point or thorn; a diminutive form related to prick”
15th Century
English
prickle
“A small pointed projection, thorn, or sharp sensation”
Modern English
English
prickles
“Plural of prickle: multiple sharp projections or tingling sensations”