PRICKER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pricker mean? 

• PRICKER (noun)
  The noun PRICKER has 2 senses:

1. a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf

2. an awl for making small holes for brads or small screws

  Familiarity information: PRICKER used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRICKER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

pricker; prickle; spikelet; spine; sticker; thorn

Hypernyms ("pricker" is a kind of...):

aculeus (a stiff sharp-pointed plant process)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pricker"):

glochid; glochidium (a barbed spine or bristle (often tufted on cacti))

Derivation:

prick (make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An awl for making small holes for brads or small screws

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

bradawl; pricker

Hypernyms ("pricker" is a kind of...):

awl (a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching small holes)

Derivation:

prick (make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn)

 Context examples 

“It is used by their prickers and huntsmen when the beast hath not fled, but is still in its lair.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Yeomen prickers they are, who tend to the King's hunt.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In the High Street of Lyndhurst the wayfarers had to pick their way, for the little town was crowded with the guardsmen, grooms, and yeomen prickers who were attached to the King's hunt.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

One noontide I was by Franklin Swinton's gate, when up he rides with a yeoman pricker at his heels.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Close behind the pack rode a fourrier and a yeoman-pricker, whooping on the laggards and encouraging the leaders, in the shrill half-French jargon which was the language of venery and woodcraft.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There are many leaders who shout and beckon, and one, a tall man with a golden beard, who stands before the gate stamping his foot and hallooing them on, as a pricker doth the hounds.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)