ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English hegge hogge, from hegge hedge + hogge hog — more at hedge , hog
1.
a. : any of several nocturnal Old World insectivorous mammals that constitute the genus Erinaceus (especially E. europaeus ), have the hair on the upper part of the body mixed with prickles or spines, and are able to roll themselves up so as to present the spines outwardly in every direction
b. : any of various other spine-bearing animals (as the tenrecs or the porcupines)
2.
a. : any of various prickly fruits or seed pods (as those of Ranunculus arvensis and Medicago echinus )
b. : a plant bearing such a fruit
3. : any of various coarse variably spinose West Indian sponges
4.
a.
(1) : a military defensive obstacle made of barbed wire bound around three poles, logs, or lengths of metal
(2) : a military defensive obstacle that is made of three 6-foot angle irons bolted together, sometimes wound with barbed wire, and usually embedded in concrete and that is designed to damage tanks and boats in beach landings
b. : a military defensive stronghold securely entrenched or fortified with minefields and pillboxes and equipped with supplies for sustained resistance to encirclement
c. : a multiple rocket-propelled weapon used against submarines
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hedgehog 1a
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