I. ˈpȯrkyəˌpīn, chiefly dial -kə̇ˌp- or -kēˌp- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English porke despyne, porkepin, from Middle French porc espin, from Old Italian porcospino, from Latin porcus pig + spina thorn, prickle — more at spine
1.
a. : any of various relatively large hystricomorph rodents having stiff sharp erectile bristles mingled with the hair of the pelage and constituting the Old World terrestrial family Hystricidae and the New World arboreal family Erethizontidae — see brush-tailed porcupine , canada porcupine , long-tailed porcupine
b. : echidna 1
2.
a. or porcupine beater or porcupine roller : any of various rollers or cylinders covered with wire pins, card clothing, or beater blades and used for fiber preparation or spinning processes
b. : any of various other toothed mechanical devices
3. : hedgehog 4b
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to cause to bristle
2. : to prick with or as if with porcupine quills