hedgehog
Pronunciation: /ˈhɛdʒ(h)ɒg/
noun
- a small nocturnal Old World mammal with a spiny coat and short legs, able to roll itself into a ball for defence.
- Family Erinaceidae: four genera and several species, including the common Erinaceus europaeus (which is predominantly insectivorous) of western and northern Europe
- any other animal covered with spines, especially (North American) a porcupine.
- used in names of plants or fruits resembling a hedgehog in having spines, e.g. hedgehog cactus, hedgehog holly.
