Porcupine

/ˈpɔːr.kjə.paɪn/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A large rodent with sharp quills on its back, native to the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

While hiking in the woods, we spotted a porcupine climbing a tree.

The quills of a porcupine, used as a defense mechanism against predators.

The dog learned the hard way that porcupine quills are not easy to remove.

A person or thing that resembles a porcupine, especially in being prickly or difficult to deal with.

His behavior at the meeting was so prickly that he was almost like a porcupine.

Middle English porcupyne, from Old French porquepin, literally 'pig' + 'spine'.

porcupine quills

The sharp spines that cover a porcupine's back.

porcupine dinner

Referring to a difficult or prickly situation.

quill

A sharp spine of a porcupine.

rodent

A classification of mammals that includes porcupines.

A prickly or difficult person.

He's been acting like such a porcupine lately; no one can approach him.

Referring to someone or something that is overly defensive or standoffish.

Don't be a porcupine; just relax and let people in!