Definition of "hedgehog" in English

noun

1. A small mammal of the subfamily Erinaceinae, characterized by their spiny back and often by the habit of rolling up into a ball when attacked, native to Afro-Eurasia.

2. (US) Any of several spiny mammals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.

3. (military) Ellipsis of Czech hedgehog (“an antitank obstacle constructed from three steel rails”).

4. (informal, military, historical) A spigot mortar-type of depth charge weapon from World War II that simultaneously fires a number of explosives into the water to create a pattern of underwater explosions intended to attack submerged submarines.

5. (Australia) A type of chocolate cake (or slice), somewhat similar to an American brownie.

   • 2005, Paul Mitchell, The Favourite, Frank Moorhouse, The Best Australian Stories 2005, page 145, There are hedgehogs with sultanas as well as breadcrumbs, carrot cakes and fruitcakes and banana walnut loaves.

6. A form of dredging machine.

7. Certain flowering plants with parts resembling a member of family Erinaceidae

8. The edible fungus Hydnum repandum.

9. A kind of electrical transformer with open magnetic circuit, the ends of the iron wire core being turned outward and presenting a bristling appearance.

10. A way of serving food at a party, consisting of a half melon or potato etc. with individual cocktail sticks of cheese and pineapple stuck into it.

11. (differential geometry) A type of plane curve; see Hedgehog (geometry).

12. (chiefly philosophy) Someone who has one big overarching personal philosophy or worldview.

verb

1. (military) To make use of a hedgehog barricade as a defensive maneuver.

2. To array with spiky projections like the quills of a hedgehog.

3. (ambitransitive) To curl up into a defensive ball.