hedgehog

[ hej-hog, -hawg ]
/ ˈhɛdʒˌhɒg, -ˌhɔg /

noun

an Old World, insect-eating mammal of the genus Erinaceus, especially E. europaeus, having spiny hairs on the back and sides.
the porcupine.
Military.
  1. a portable obstacle made of crossed logs in the shape of an hourglass, usually laced with barbed wire.
  2. an obstructive device consisting of steel bars, angle irons, etc., usually embedded in concrete, designed to damage and impede the boats and tanks of a landing force on a beach.

Origin of hedgehog

First recorded in 1400–50, hedgehog is from the late Middle English word heyghoge. See hedge, hog

OTHER WORDS FROM hedgehog

hedge·hog·gy, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for hedgehog

British Dictionary definitions for hedgehog

hedgehog
/ (ˈhɛdʒˌhɒɡ) /

noun

any small nocturnal Old World mammal of the genus Erinaceus, such as E. europaeus, and related genera, having a protective covering of spines on the back: family Erinaceidae, order Insectivora (insectivores) Related adjective: erinaceous
any other insectivore of the family Erinaceidae, such as the moon rat
US any of various other spiny animals, esp the porcupine