hedgehog Hear it!

hedgehog Definition

hedge·hog (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. Etymology: 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

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

hedgehog Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • uists: This will be the fourth year that SNH has killed healthy hedgehogs on the Uists, with the death toll now at 535.
  • island: During 2003 SNH caught and killed 66 hedgehogs on the islands at a cost of well over £ 100,000 of taxpayer's money.

Converse of object

  • hibernate: In these sort of areas, hedgehog houses have a good chance of being occupied during the winter by hibernating hedgehogs.
  • rehabilitate: Annually at least 5000 rehabilitated hedgehogs are being released into the wild.
  • relocate: Time to see the wood and the trees - and help relocate the Uist hedgehogs.
  • orphan: I come out to collect any sick, injured or orphaned hedgehog anywhere within a reasonable distance from us.
  • rescue: In 2003 UHR rescued 156 hedgehogs, with a further 213 were removed last year.
  • kill: However, we believe that instead of killing the hedgehogs, they should simply be moved live to the mainland.

Adjective modifier

  • uist: Time to see the wood and the trees - and help relocate the Uist hedgehogs.
  • sonic: And some fascinating information about the " Sonic hedgehog " mutation.
  • injured: For a sick or injured hedgehog every minute matters.
  • healthy: We would expect healthy hedgehogs to fare even better once released.
  • wild: Do not be tempted to keep a wild hedgehog in an enclosed garden.
  • dead: Is there a dead hedgehog being dragged around in the blades?

Modifies a noun

  • sitings: Hog Watch - Please report your hedgehog sitings Date: Tue, 17 October 13:42 Author: dahlia Location: Old Portsmouth, Hampshire.
  • flea: There are many different types, for example cat flea, dog flea, hedgehog flea even a human flea!
  • rescue: Many of you kindly sent funds for the hedgehog rescue.
  • population: The UK hedgehog population is in fact now showing signs of a decline.
  • box: Hedgehog boxes should be sited in a quiet spot hidden by ground covering plants.

Noun used with modifier

baby: For advice about Hand Feeding & Rearing babies see here These 3 baby hedgehogs were found abandoned in a front garden.

Browse dictionary entries near hedgehog

  1. hedge sparrow
  2. hedge ratio
  3. hedge hyssop
  4. hedge fund
  5. hedge
  6. heder
  7. heddle
  8. Hecuba
  9. hector
  10. hectometer
  1. hedgehop
  2. hedger
  3. hedgerow
  4. hedonic
  5. hedonics
  6. hedonism
  7. hedonist
  8. -hedral
  9. -hedron
  10. heebie-jeebies