Noun: hedgehog 'hej,hóg
- Small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and protective spines
"The hedgehog curled into a tight ball when approached";
- Erinaceus europaeus
- Relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
"The hedgehog raised its quills when threatened";
- porcupine, porky [N. Amer, informal]
Derived forms: hedgehogs
Type of: gnawer, insectivore, rodent
Part of: Erinaceus, genus Erinaceus
Encyclopedia: Hedgehog