porcupine

American  

[pawr-kyuh-pahyn] / ˈpɔr kyəˌpaɪn /

noun

1. any of several rodents covered with stiff, sharp, erectile spines or quills, as Erethizon dorsatum of North America.

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porcupine British  

/ ˈpɔːkjʊˌpaɪn /

noun

1. any of various large hystricomorph rodents of the families Hystricidae, of Africa, Indonesia, S Europe, and S Asia, and Erethizontidae, of the New World. All species have a body covering of protective spines or quills

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Other Word Forms

• porcupinish adjective
• porcupiny adjective

Etymology

Origin of porcupine

1375–1425; late Middle English porcupyne, variant of porcapyne; replacing porke despyne < Middle French porc d'espine thorny pig. See pork, spine

Example Sentences

According to reports at the time there were some clues, including the discovery of straw bedding with porcupine quills in it.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

DNA evidence suggests North America's sole porcupine belongs to a group that originated 10 million years ago, but fossils seem to tell a different story.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

The fossils belonged to an extinct species of North American porcupine, meaning this group has a long history that likely began before the Isthmus of Panama had formed.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

Whether you’re a pedestrian or a porcupine, you live in the thrall of roads.

From Slate • May 25, 2024

"Sam," she said at last, "I have never ever wished to have a porcupine instead of a son."

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry