prickly

adj

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. (figuratively)Easily irritated.

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

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

   “It was a prickly situation.”

   “People who are prickly can’t be hurt any more. They’ve had it. So we just have to be prickly to make sure nobody’s going to come in and grab us.”

adv

1. In a prickly manner.

   “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

1. (colloquial)Something that gives a pricking sensation; a sharp object.

   “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 […]”

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