Hedgehog word meaning and definition

[noun] small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and protective spines
[noun] relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur

\Hedge"hog`\, n. 1. (Zo["o]l.) 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. 2. (Zo["o]l.) 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. {Hedgehog caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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}.
\Hedge"hog`\, n. (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.

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