Hedgehog

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Hedgehog \Hedge"hog`\, n.
     1. (Zool.) A small European insectivore ({Erinaceus
        Europ[ae]us}), 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) The Canadian porcupine.[U.S]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Bot.) A species of {Medicago} ({Medicago intertexta}),
        the pods of which are armed with short spines; --
        popularly so called. --Loudon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. A form of dredging machine. --Knight.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     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.
        [PJC]
  
     {Hedgehog caterpillar} (Zool.), the hairy larv[ae] 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}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  hedgehog
       n 1: relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles
            mingled with the fur [syn: {porcupine}]
       2: small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and
          protective spines [syn: {Erinaceus europaeus}, {Erinaceus
          europeaeus}]