hedgehog

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhɛdʒhɒɡ/
• American: /ˈhɛdʒhɔɡ/

Origin

From Middle English heghoge, from Old English hēġoġ, composed of hēġ ("hedge") + hoġġ ("hog").

Meanings

1. A small nocturnal Old World mammal with a spiny coat and short legs, which rolls itself into a ball when threatened.
2. (informal) A person seen as prickly or defensive.

Example Sentences

1. The hedgehog curled into a tight ball when it sensed danger.
2. We spotted a hedgehog foraging for food in our garden at dusk.
3. His prickly personality made him the hedgehog of the office.

Related Words

• Noun: hedgehog
• Plural: hedgehogs
• Adjective: hedgehog-like
• Synonyms: porcupine (similar but different animal), spiny mammal

Memorization Tricks

• Think of a "hedge" (a row of bushes) with a small "hog" (pig) hiding in it, covered in spines.
• Visualize a small animal that looks like it's wearing a "hat" of "hedges" (spines) on its back.
• Remember the phrase "Don't hedge your hog" to recall the animal that doesn't hide its spines.