Category:Urchin

Ur"chin, n. Etym: [oe. urchon, irchon, a hedgehog, of. ireçon, Eriçon, heri, herichon, f. hérisson, a derivative fr. L. ericius, From er a hedgehog, for her; akin to gr. Herisson.]

1. (zoöl.)

Defn: a hedgehog.

2. (zoöl.)

Defn: a sea urchin. See sea urchin.

3. A mischievous elf supposed sometimes to take the form a hedgehog. "we 'll dress [them] like urchins, ouphes, and fairies." Shak.

4. A pert or roguish child; -- now commonly used only of a boy. And the urchins that stand with their thievish eyes forever on watch Ran off each with a prize. W. Howitt. You did indeed dissemble, you urchin you; but where's the girl that Won't dissemble for an husband goldsmith.

5. One of a pair in a series of small card cylinders, arranged around A carding drum; -- so called from its fancied resemblance to the Hedgehog. Knight. Urchin fish (zoöl.), a diodon.

Urchin Ur"chin, a.

Defn: rough; pricking; piercing. [r.] "helping all urchin blasts." Milton.