hedgehog

[hej-hog, -hawg]

See more synonyms for hedgehog on Thesaurus.com

noun

an Old World, insect-eating mammal of the genus Erinaceus, especially E. europaeus, having spiny hairs on the back and sides.
the porcupine.
Military.
1. a portable obstacle made of crossed logs in the shape of an hourglass, usually laced with barbed wire.
2. an obstructive device consisting of steel bars, angle irons, etc., usually embedded in concrete, designed to damage and impede the boats and tanks of a landing force on a beach.

Origin of hedgehog

First recorded in 1400–50, hedgehog is from the late Middle English word heyghoge. See hedge, hog

Related formshedge·hog·gy, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hedgehog

Contemporary Examples

Hedgehog Birthday From the folks who brought you ‘Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos’ comes another squee-worthy video.
Hedgehog Birthday, ‘Frozen Is the New Black,’ and More Viral Videos
Alex Chancey
July 12, 2014
DuBois was a man of many ideas; Washington, of just one: the proverbial contrast of hedgehog and fox.
David's Book Club: The Souls of Black Folk
David Frum
May 5, 2013
Once again, the “hedgehog,” as Jeremy is known in the XXX industry, gave hope to round, hairy men everywhere.
Harry Potter Hip-Hop
Jaimie Etkin
July 13, 2011
“I used to remember drawing Sonic the Hedgehog when I was super young,” says Moss.
Olly Moss: The Savior of Movie Posters
Marlow Stern
May 9, 2011
And the more he thinks about it, the “Hedgehog vs. Fox” thing is nothing more than a party game either.
Best of Brit Lit
Peter Stothard
July 16, 2009

Historical Examples

Late I am this fair day all along with my beard, that was thicker than a hedgehog's.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
And as good success had Themistocles in his of the fox and hedgehog.
The Praise of Folly
Desiderius Erasmus
It was a calm day towards the end of March when the hedgehog awoke.
Creatures of the Night
Alfred W. Rees
The hedgehog bore on his back clear tokens of his last retreat.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"
Douglas English
The hedgehog has a keen sense of humour, and, for that reason, he loves an argument.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"
Douglas English

British Dictionary definitions for hedgehog

hedgehog

noun

any small nocturnal Old World mammal of the genus Erinaceus, such as E. europaeus, and related genera, having a protective covering of spines on the back: family Erinaceidae, order Insectivora (insectivores)Related adjective: erinaceous
any other insectivore of the family Erinaceidae, such as the moon rat
US any of various other spiny animals, esp the porcupine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hedgehog

n.

mid-15c. (replacing Old English igl), from hedge (n.) + hog (n.); the second element a reference to its pig-like snout.

hedgehog

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}hedgehog

Examples from the Web for hedgehog

Contemporary Examples

Hedgehog Birthday From the folks who brought you ‘Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos’ comes another squee-worthy video.

DuBois was a man of many ideas; Washington, of just one: the proverbial contrast of hedgehog and fox.

Once again, the “hedgehog,” as Jeremy is known in the XXX industry, gave hope to round, hairy men everywhere.

“I used to remember drawing Sonic the Hedgehog when I was super young,” says Moss.

And the more he thinks about it, the “Hedgehog vs. Fox” thing is nothing more than a party game either.

Historical Examples

Late I am this fair day all along with my beard, that was thicker than a hedgehog's.

And as good success had Themistocles in his of the fox and hedgehog.

It was a calm day towards the end of March when the hedgehog awoke.

The hedgehog bore on his back clear tokens of his last retreat.

The hedgehog has a keen sense of humour, and, for that reason, he loves an argument.

hedgehog

Word Origin and History for hedgehog

n.

Origin of hedgehog