hedgehog

(hejhôg′)

noun

  1. any of several small insectivores (family Erinaceidae) of the Old World, with a shaggy coat and sharp spines on the back, which bristle and form a defense when the animal curls up
  2. ☆ the American porcupine
  3. Origin: see fox ()

    a person regarded as being of a type that tends to see things in terms of a single, overarching viewpoint or philosophy
  4. Mil.
    1. any of several defensive obstacles
    2. any of a series of defensive fortifications capable of continued resistance after being encircled

Origin: hedge + hog: prob. from living in hedgerows and from the hoglike snout

See hedgehog in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Any of several small insectivorous mammals of the family Erinaceidae of Europe, Africa, and Asia, having the back covered with dense erectile spines and characteristically rolling into a ball for protection.
  2. Any of several spiny animals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.
  3. A well fortified military position.
  4. An antisubmarine weapon consisting of several rows of mortar-like dischargers positioned to fire in a circular pattern ahead of a ship.
  5. An obstacle used against tanks and landing craft, consisting of three crossed iron bars welded or bolted together.

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