Prickly
/ˈprɪk.li/noun
Covered with or having sharp points or spines; also, irritable or touchy.
Did you know?The core root behind English prickly is tied to the Old English verb for piercing or jabbing, and that same ancient idea survives in words for sharp points and sudden stings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*prei-
“to pierce, sting, or thrust”
Old English
OE
prician
“to prick, pierce, or sting”
Middle English
ME
prikly
“having many prickles; sharp-pointed”
Modern English
English
prickly
“covered with sharp points; easily irritated”