prick out
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
to move tiny plants apart so they have more room, or make tiny holes to copy a pattern
Literal meaning: Literally, to pierce something outward or remove by pricking.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
to lift small seedlings from a seed tray and replant them farther apart
"Once the second leaves appear, prick out the seedlings into individual pots."
Grammar: separable
2 C1 neutral
to make a row of tiny holes to transfer or mark a pattern
"She pricked out the outline before dusting charcoal through the paper."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Mainly used in gardening and crafts; uncommon in everyday speech.
Commonly used with
seedlings plants lettuce pattern design outline
Forms
Base
prick out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pricks out
he/she/it
Past simple
pricked out
yesterday
Past participle
pricked out
have + pp
-ing form
pricking out
continuous
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Synonyms
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