Definition of PORCUPINE

porcupine

Meanings

Plural: porcupines

Noun

  • relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
  • Any of several rodents of either of the taxonomic families Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) or Erethizontidae (New World porcupines), both from the infraorder Hystricognathi, noted for their sharp spines or quills, which are raised when the animal is attacked or surprised.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English porke despyne, from Old French porc-espin, from Latin porcus (“pig”) + spinus (“spine”), hence also spine pig. Cognate with Spanish puercoespín, Italian porcospino, Portuguese porco-espinho.

Synonyms

hedgehog, porky, spine pig

Scrabble Score: 15

porcupine is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
porcupine is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
porcupine is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

porcupine is a valid Words With Friends word