hedgehog Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
    porcupine.
  2. noun small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and protective spines
    Erinaceus europaeus; Erinaceus europeaeus.

WordNet

Hedge"hog` noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) 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. (Zoöl.) The Canadian porcupine.U.S
  3. (Bot.) A species of Medicago (M. intertexta), the pods of which are armed with short spines; -- popularly so called. Loudon.
  4. A form of dredging machine. Knight.

Webster 1913