pricking

Pricking is the act of piercing or puncturing a surface with a sharp point, producing a small puncture or mark. It can be intentional, as in medical procedures, or incidental, as with minor scratches. The term is used both as a verb and a noun in everyday language.

In medical contexts, pricking includes finger-prick blood sampling and skin-prick tests for allergies, where small amounts of allergens are introduced into the skin to observe reactions. Pricks may also refer to minor punctures made to drain fluid or administer medication, though more formal terms such as puncture or puncture wound are common in clinical settings. Puncture wounds can carry infection risk and are typically cleaned and treated to prevent complications.

In horticulture, pricking out refers to transplanting seedlings from seed trays into pots or garden beds. The process involves carefully lifting seedlings to avoid root damage and giving each plant space to develop. Pricking out is distinguished from direct sowing or transplanting older plants and is a routine step in many growing systems.

In crafts and manufacturing, pricking describes creating holes or perforations in leather, fabric, or other materials using tools such as awls or pricking wheels, or marking lines for stitching. This prepares the material for stitching and can improve accuracy and durability of the final product.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from prick, with senses related to sharp punctures and stinging sensations, and it remains in both technical and everyday language.

See also: puncture, needle, allergy testing, pricking out, awl, perforation.