hedgehog

English

/ˈhɛdʒhɒɡ/

noun
Definitions
  • A small mammal, of the family Erinaceidae or subfamily Erinaceinae (, the latter characterized by their spiny back and often by the habit of rolling up into a ball when attacked.)
  • (US) Any of several spiny mammals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.
  • A type of moveable military barricade made from crossed logs or steel bars, laced with barbed wire, used to damage or impede tanks and vehicles; Czech hedgehog.
  • (informal) 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.
  • (Australia) A type of chocolate cake (or slice), somewhat similar to an American brownie.
  • A form of dredging machine.
  • Certain flowering plants with parts resembling a member of family Erinaceidae
  • The edible fungus Hydnum repandum.
  • A kind of electrical transformer with open magnetic circuit, the ends of the iron wire core being turned outward and presenting a bristling appearance.
  • A way of serving food at a party, consisting of a half melon or potato etc. with individual cocktail sticks of cheese and pineapple stuck into it.

Etymology

Compound from English hedge + English hog.

Origin

English

hog

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms