prickles
Tiny defensive spines
Prickles are small, sharp points that stick out from a surface—the spines on a cactus, the thorns on a rose stem, or the stiff hairs on a hedgehog.
The word also describes the sensation of being pricked: She felt prickles on her skin as she walked through the tall grass.
Figuratively, prickles of fear or excitement are tingling sensations that seem to pierce the skin from within.
Pointed plant projection
- barbBackward-pointing spike
- bristleCoarse animal hair
- quillFeather used for writing
- needlePointed implement for sewing
spike · burr · spur · point · splinter · thistle · nettle · cactus
Slight stinging sensation
- stingingCausing sharp pain
- itchinessIrritating skin sensation
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- scratchinessRough, irritating texture quality
pins and needles · goosebumps · burning · smarting · sensitivity · numbness · crawling · tickling
thorn
Pointed plant projection
needle · spike · burr · spur · point · splinter · thistle · nettle · cactus · bramble
tingling
Slight stinging sensation
- stingingCausing sharp pain
- itchinessIrritating skin sensation
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
scratchiness · pins and needles · goosebumps · burning · smarting · sensitivity · numbness · crawling · tickling · discomfort
- sharp pointsneedles, point, pins, tip, spikes
- thorny plantsbriar, blackberry, bramble, thistle, brambles
- plant defensesthorns, spines, trichomes, toxins, latex
- jagged edgesserration, sawtooth, zigzag, notches, teeth
- stem structureswoody stems, rhizomes, stolons, runners, tubers
- surface coveringscoat, paint, covering, tiles, felt
pricklessmoothness
Freedom from irregularity
silkiness · softness · sleekness · velvetiness · polished surfaces
- prickly pearSpine-covered cactus, edible fruit
- prickly heatSweat-related skin rash
- prickly leavesPlant parts with sharp points
- prickly pear cactusSpiny flat-padded desert plant
- prickly stem
- prickly ball
prickly, prickle, prickled, prickling, prickliness, pricklier