hedgehog Definition
hedge·hog (hej′hôg′)
noun
- 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
- ☆ the American porcupine
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- Mil.
- any of several defensive obstacles
- 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
- ‹ hedge sparrow
- ‹ hedge ratio
- ‹ hedge hyssop
- ‹ hedge fund
- ‹ hedge
- ‹ heder
- ‹ heddle
- ‹ Hecuba
- ‹ hector
- ‹ hectometer

