noun
porcupine
PAWK-yuu-pyn
Porcupine (noun) means a large rodent covered in sharp defensive spines called quills. Example: “The dog came home with a face full of porcupine quills.”
noun
1
A large rodent covered in sharp defensive spines called quills.
"The dog came home with a face full of porcupine quills."
How to use porcupine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spiky rodent that raises its sharp quills when threatened.
Common pairings
porcupine quills
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Word forms
- Plural
- porcupines
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog came home with a face full of _____ quills.
Etymology
From Old French porc-espin, literally "spine pig" — from Latin porcus ("pig") and spinus ("spine").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for porcupine
See all rhymes for porcupine →Frequently asked questions
What does “porcupine” mean?
The word “porcupine” means a large rodent covered in sharp defensive spines called quills. In plain terms, a spiky rodent that raises its sharp quills when threatened.
How do you pronounce “porcupine”?
“Porcupine” is pronounced PAWK-yuu-pyn (/ˈpɔː(ɹ)kjʊˌpaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “porcupine” in a sentence?
Here is “porcupine” used in a sentence: “The dog came home with a face full of porcupine quills.”
What part of speech is “porcupine”?
“Porcupine” is a noun.
Where does the word “porcupine” come from?
The word “porcupine” comes from Latin. From Old French porc-espin, literally "spine pig" — from Latin porcus ("pig") and spinus ("spine").
