Definition of Hedgehog
Hedge´hog`
n.
1.
(Zool.)
A
small
European
insectivore
(
Erinaceus
Europæus
),
and
other
allied
species
of
Asia
and
Africa
,
having
the
hair
on
the
upper
part
of
its
body
mixed
with
prickles
or
spines
.
It
is
able
to
roll
itself
into
a
ball
so
as
to
present
the
spines
outwardly
in
every
direction
.
It
is
nocturnal
in
its
habits
,
feeding
chiefly
upon
insects
.
2.
(Zool.)
The
Canadian
porcupine
.
3.
(Bot.)
A
species
of
Medicago
(
Medicago
intertexta
),
the
pods
of
which
are
armed
with
short
spines
; -
popularly
so
called
.
4.
A
form
of
dredging
machine
.
5.
(Elec.)
A
variety
of
transformer
with
open
magnetic
circuit
,
the
ends
of
the
iron
wire
core
being
turned
outward
and
presenting
a
bristling
appearance
,
whence
the
name
.
6.
(Mil.)
a
defensive
obstacle
having
pointed
barbs
extending
outward
,
such
as
one
composed
of
crossed
logs
with
barbed
wire
wound
around
them
,
or
a
tangle
of
steel
beams
embedded
in
concrete
used
to
impede
or
damage
landing
craft
on
a
beach
;
also
,
a
position
well-fortified
with
such
defensive
obstacles
.
Hedgehog caterpillar
(Zool.)
the
hairy
larvæ
of
several
species
of
bombycid
moths
,
as
of
the
Isabella
moth
.
It
curls
up
like
a
hedgehog
when
disturbed
.
See
Woolly bear
,
and
Isabella moth
.
Hedgehog fish
(Zool.)
any
spinose
plectognath
fish
,
esp
.
of
the
genus
Diodon
;
the
porcupine
fish
.
Hedgehog grass
(Bot.)
a
grass
with
spiny
involucres
,
growing
on
sandy
shores
;
burgrass
(
Cenchrus
tribuloides
).
Hedgehog rat
(Zool.)
one
of
several
West
Indian
rodents
,
allied
to
the
porcupines
,
but
with
ratlike
tails
,
and
few
quills
,
or
only
stiff
bristles
.
The
hedgehog
rats
belong
to
Capromys
,
Plagiodon
,
and
allied
genera
.
Hedgehog shell
(Zool.)
any
spinose
,
marine
,
univalve
shell
of
the
genus
Murex
.
Hedgehog thistle
(Bot.)
a
plant
of
the
Cactus
family
,
globular
in
form
,
and
covered
with
spines
(
Echinocactus
).
Sea hedgehog
See
Diodon
.
Related Words
gnawer
,
gnawing
animal
,
New
World
porcupine
,
Old
World
porcupine
,
porcupine
,
quill
,
rodent
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