hedgehog

/ˈhɛdʒˌhɔɡ/
noun
  1. A small spiny mammal that curls into a ball for defense, found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
    • Children love watching hedgehogs because they look like little balls of spikes.
    • The hedgehog uses its sharp spines to protect itself from predators.
    • A hedgehog wandered into the garden and curled up under the bushes.
  2. A defensive military formation or obstacle made of sharp spikes or metal bars.
    • The soldiers built a hedgehog of barbed wire to block the enemy's path.
    • During the war, tank traps called hedgehogs were placed on beaches.
    • The metal hedgehog stopped the vehicle from advancing.
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