I. ˈərchə̇n, ˈə̄ch-, ˈəich- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English urchin, urchon, hurcheoun, hirchoun hedgehog, from Middle French herichon, heriçon, from Latin ericius, from er, eris; akin to Greek chēr hedgehog — more at horror
1. : hedgehog
2. dialect : hunchback
3. : a pert or roguish youngster ; especially : a mischievous boy
4. obsolete : a mischievous elf that sometimes takes the form of a hedgehog
5. : sea urchin
6. : either of two small card cylinders around the large drum of a carding machine
II. adjective
1. obsolete : inclined to make mischief : elfish
2. : of, relating to, or like an urchin ; especially : prickly