From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpinprickpin‧prick /ˈpɪnˌprɪk/ noun [countable] 1 LITTLE/NOT MUCHa very small area or dot of somethingpinprick of a pinprick of light2 HOLEa very small hole in something, similar to one made by a pin3 ANNOYsomething that slightly annoys you These problems were pinpricks compared with what was to come.
Examples from the Corpus
pinprick• Yet nausea and bone-weariness were mere pinpricks compared to the emotional upheaval she was going through.• More pinpricks of light were moving down there.• Neurological examination showed reduced pinprick sensation in both feet.• Though we may momentarily feel warmth, discomfort or shame, our emotions are rarely more than pinpricks.• And above, the pinpricks of light wheeling on.• Why the pinprick on the left arm?• A thousand pinpricks of scalding steam grew to knife-points and the knives twisted.• The river was alive with pinpricks of light.pinprick of• a pinprick of jealousy 