different between unrefined vs prickly

English

Etymology

un- +? refined

Adjective

unrefined (comparative more unrefined, superlative most unrefined)

1. crude, raw or unprocessed
2. (of a person) lacking refinement; uncouth

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:raw
• See also Thesaurus:impolite

Translations

English

Etymology

prickle +? -y

Pronunciation

Adjective

prickly (comparative pricklier, superlative prickliest)

1. Covered with sharp points.

   The prickly pear is a cactus; you have to peel it before eating it to remove the spines and the tough skin.

2. Easily irritated.

   He has a prickly personality. He doesn't get along with people because he is easily set off.

3. Difficult; complicated; (figuratively) hairy or thorny.

   It was a prickly situation.

Synonyms

• (covered with sharp points): thorny, spiny

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• prick

Adverb

prickly (comparative more prickly, superlative most prickly)

1. In a prickly manner.
   • 2016, David Thomson, Biggest lesson of the 2016 Oscars? The Academy should be scrapped (in The Guardian, 3 March 2016)[1]

     Striding across stage in his bright white jacket, his voice soaring and cracking – like Charlie Parker’s – he was nervous but prickly eloquent, caustic yet encouraging.

Noun

prickly (plural pricklies)

1. (colloquial) Something that gives a pricking sensation; a sharp object.
   • 2002, William A. Luckey, Long Ride to Nowhere (page 75)

     Below, way out on the flat, Blue had seen a light green that could be graze but up here was nothing 'cept all kinds of prickly bushes, and too many of them. Ground-spreading pricklies that reached out to jump at a horse's belly […]

   • 2016, Richard J. Sklba, Joseph Juknialis, Easter Fire: Fire Starters for the Easter Weekday Homily (page 113)

     Dad, I need to ride on your shoulders because the pricklies hurt my feet.