Hedgehog

Quick meaning: Hedgehog is a noun meaning (US) Any of several spiny mammals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.

Meaning

(US) Any of several spiny mammals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.

More Meanings

1. (military) Ellipsis of Czech hedgehog (“an antitank obstacle constructed from three steel rails”).
2. (Australia) A type of chocolate cake (or slice), somewhat similar to an American brownie.
3. A form of dredging machine.
4. Certain flowering plants with parts resembling a member of family Erinaceidae
5. The edible fungus Hydnum repandum.
6. A small mammal of the subfamily Erinaceinae, characterized by their spiny back and often by the habit of rolling up into a ball when attacked, native to Afro-Eurasia.
7. (informal, military, historical) A spigot mortar-type of depth charge weapon from World War II that simultaneously fires a number of explosives into the water to create a pattern of underwater explosions intended to attack submerged submarines.

Example Sentences

I am so flustered that I order a vanilla slice instead of hedgehog.

Among the Romans the genital organ of the hedgehog and the wolf were among the ingredients used in aphrodisiac concoctions.

His wife had made a hedgehog cake and he offered some but Murphy refused – his mouth was so dry with terror he couldn′t swallow.

Hedgehogs fruit from autumn until late spring. Many consumers are still unfamiliar with hedgehogs, and they have a relatively small commercial trade.

Word Forms

• hedgehogs
• hedgehogging
• hedgehogged

Synonyms for hedgehog

Depending on context, synonyms include urchin, furze-pig, hedgepig, hedgy-boar, porcupine.

Antonyms for hedgehog

Common opposites include fox.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include porcupine, cactus, sonic, hedge-hog, erinaceid, hedgepig.

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