DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Hedge·hog n.
 1. Zool. A small European insectivore (Erinaceus Europaeus), and other allied species of Asia and Africa, having the hair on the upper part of its body mixed with prickles or spines. It is able to roll itself into a ball so as to present the spines outwardly in every direction. It is nocturnal in its habits, feeding chiefly upon insects.
 2. Zool. The Canadian porcupine.[U.S]
 3. Bot. A species of Medicago (Medicago intertexta), the pods of which are armed with short spines; -- popularly so called.
 4. A form of dredging machine.
 5. Elec. A variety of transformer with open magnetic circuit, the ends of the iron wire core being turned outward and presenting a bristling appearance, whence the name.
 Hedgehog caterpillar Zool., the hairy larvae of several species of bombycid moths, as of the Isabella moth. It curls up like a hedgehog when disturbed. See Woolly bear, and Isabella moth.
 Hedgehog fish Zool., any spinose plectognath fish, esp. of the genus Diodon; the porcupine fish.
 Hedgehog grass Bot., a grass with spiny involucres, growing on sandy shores; burgrass (Cenchrus tribuloides).
 Hedgehog rat Zool., one of several West Indian rodents, allied to the porcupines, but with ratlike tails, and few quills, or only stiff bristles. The hedgehog rats belong to Capromys, Plagiodon, and allied genera.
 Hedgehog shell Zool., any spinose, marine, univalve shell of the genus Murex.
 Hedgehog thistle Bot., a plant of the Cactus family, globular in form, and covered with spines (Echinocactus).
 Sea hedgehog. See Diodon.
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