hedgehog
HEHJ-hog
Hedgehog (verb) means to curl into a tight defensive ball, or to set up spiky defenses, the way a hedgehog protects itself. Example: “The troops hedgehogged their position with anti-tank spikes.”
verb
1
To curl into a tight defensive ball, or to set up spiky defenses, the way a hedgehog protects itself.
"You try for his head, but he's hedgehogged round now, elbows beside his ears and you can't get him."
— A.L. Kennedy, Day (2008)
"The dead man was lying on a pile of the blankets, curled up, his hands interlocked behind his head, knees drawn up to his chest. Hedgehogged, just like the others."
— Robert Ryan, The Dead Can Wait (2014)
"The troops hedgehogged their position with anti-tank spikes."
"I stayed hedgehogged in my ball, listening for movement and trying to ignore the cramp in my legs, the ache in my gut and — encore — the throbbing in my temples."
— Edwin Thomas, The Blighted Cliffs (2011)
How to use hedgehog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo defend by curling up or bristling with spikes, like the small spiny mammal does.
Memory tip
You'll usually meet "hedgehog" as a noun for the animal itself; this verb form is much rarer, mostly military or figurative.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- hedgehogs
- Past tense
- hedgehogged
Etymology
From Middle English heyghoge — "hedge" (because it roots around hedgerows) plus "hog" (for its pig-like snout). The military and philosophical uses of "hedgehog" come from the animal's trademark defense: curling into a spiky, impenetrable ball.
Frequently asked questions
What does “hedgehog” mean?
The word “hedgehog” means to curl into a tight defensive ball, or to set up spiky defenses, the way a hedgehog protects itself. In plain terms, to defend by curling up or bristling with spikes, like the small spiny mammal does.
How do you pronounce “hedgehog”?
“Hedgehog” is pronounced HEHJ-hog (/ˈhɛd͡ʒ.hɔɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hedgehog” in a sentence?
Here is “hedgehog” used in a sentence: “The troops hedgehogged their position with anti-tank spikes.”
What part of speech is “hedgehog”?
“Hedgehog” is a verb.
Where does the word “hedgehog” come from?
The word “hedgehog” comes from Middle English.
Is “hedgehog” a common word?
“Hedgehog” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
