noun
porcupine
POR-kyoo-pyne/ˈpɔːrkjupaɪn/
A rodent with sharp quills used for defense.
A porcupine raises its sharp quills when a predator approaches.
Etymology
The name literally means “spine hog,” combining a hog image with thorn-like spines. Those spines are the defensive quills covering the rodent's body and tail.
In context
the quills on a porcupine versus a hedgehog are completely different but they serve similar purposes
More examples
- We spot a porcupine beside the trail.
- Several porcupines feed on bark near the forest's edge.
- The porcupine climbs a tree to reach tender leaves.
Forms
porcupine · porcupines