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) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
hedgehog
n 1: relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles
mingled with the fur [syn: {porcupine}, {hedgehog}]
2: small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and
protective spines [syn: {hedgehog}, {Erinaceus europaeus},
{Erinaceus europeaeus}]
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