erinaceus europaeus
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)
- small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and protective spinesSynonyms: hedgehogErinaceus europeaeusType of insectivoreParts quillMember of Erinaceus, genus Erinaceus
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
“erinaceus europaeus” is listed under Hedgehog.
1. Zoology 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. Zoology The Canadian porcupine.U.S
3. Botany A species of Medicago (Medicago intertexta), the pods of which are armed with short spines; — popularly so called. John Claudius Loudon
4. A form of dredging machine. Knight, Edward Henry
5. Electricity 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.
6. Military a defensive obstacle having pointed barbs extending outward, such as one composed of crossed logs with barbed wire wound around them, or a tangle of steel beams embedded in concrete used to impede or damage landing craft on a beach; also, a position well-fortified with such defensive obstacles.
Hedgehog caterpillar Zoology, 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 Zoology, any spinose plectognath fish, esp. of the genus Diodon; the porcupine fish. — Hedgehog grass Botany, a grass with spiny involucres, growing on sandy shores; burgrass (Cenchrus tribuloides). — Hedgehog rat Zoology, 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 Zoology, any spinose, marine, univalve shell of the genus Murex. — Hedgehog thistle Botany, a plant of the Cactus family, globular in form, and covered with spines (Echinocactus). — Sea hedgehog. See Diodon.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54