prickly

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective very irritable
  2. adjective having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.

Etymology

From prickle + -y.

In classic literature

Synonyms

bristly, splenetic, waspish

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