1. [n]  small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and protective spines
2. [n]  relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur

Hedgehog
Living with her mother in Switzerland during the time of World War II, Madge moves from the concerns of childhood to the edge of the more adult woes of love and loss, separation and community.

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1. \Hedge"hog`\, n.
   1. (Zo["o]l.) A small European insectivore ({Erinaceus
      Europ[ae]us}), and other allied species of Asia and
      Africa, having the hair on the upper part of its body
      mixed with prickles or spines. It is able to roll itself
      into a ball so as to present the spines outwardly in every
      direction. It is nocturnal in its habits, feeding chiefly
      upon insects.
   2. (Zo["o]l.) The Canadian porcupine.[U.S]
   3. (Bot.) A species of {Medicago} ({M. intertexta}), the pods
      of which are armed with short spines; -- popularly so
      called. --Loudon.
   4. A form of dredging machine. --Knight.
   {Hedgehog caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), the hairy larv[ae] of
      several species of bombycid moths, as of the Isabella
      moth. It curls up like a hedgehog when disturbed. See
      {Woolly bear}, and {Isabella moth}.
   {Hedgehog fish} (Zo["o]l.), any spinose plectognath fish,
      esp. of the genus {Diodon}; the porcupine fish.
   {Hedgehog grass} (Bot.), a grass with spiny involucres,
      growing on sandy shores; burgrass ({Cenchrus
      tribuloides}).
   {Hedgehog rat} (Zo["o]l.), one of several West Indian
      rodents, allied to the porcupines, but with ratlike tails,
      and few quills, or only stiff bristles. The hedgehog rats
      belong to {Capromys}, {Plagiodon}, and allied genera.
   {Hedgehog shell} (Zo["o]l.), any spinose, marine, univalve
      shell of the genus {Murex}.
   {Hedgehog thistle} (Bot.), a plant of the Cactus family,
      globular in form, and covered with spines
      ({Echinocactus}).
   {Sea hedgehog}. See {Diodon}.
   

2. \Hedge"hog`\, n. (Elec.)
   A variety of transformer with open magnetic circuit, the ends
   of the iron wire core being turned outward and presenting a
   bristling appearance, whence the name.