prickliness

/ˈprɪklinəs/
noun
  1. The quality of being covered with small, sharp points that can stick or poke.
    • The prickliness of the cactus made it hard to touch.
    • She avoided the bush because of its prickliness.
    • The hedgehog's prickliness protects it from predators.
  2. A tendency to be easily annoyed, irritable, or defensive in manner.
    • I noticed her prickliness when I asked about her job.
    • His prickliness during the meeting made everyone uncomfortable.
    • The coach's prickliness surprised the new players.
  3. An uncomfortable, stinging or tingling sensation on the skin.
    • After sitting in the grass, he felt a prickliness on his legs.
    • The prickliness of the wool sweater bothered her all day.
    • The lotion helped reduce the prickliness from the sunburn.
What does "prickliness" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean