prick

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
  2. noun a depression scratched or carved into a surface
  3. noun obscene terms for penis

Etymology

From Middle English prik, prikke, from Old English prica, pricu (“a sharp point, minute mark, spot, dot, small portion, prick”), from Proto-West Germanic *prikō, *priku, from Proto-Germanic *prikô, *prikō (“a prick, point”), of uncertain origin, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *breyǵ- (“to scrape, scratch, rub, prickle, chap”). Cognate with West Frisian prik (“small hole”), West Frisian prikke (“penis”), Dutch prik (“point, small stick", also "penis”), Danish prik (“dot”), Icelandic prik (“dot, small stick”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

asshole, bastard, cocksucker, dickhead, shit, mother fucker, motherfucker, whoreson, son of a bitch, SOB

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