porcupine
/'pɔ:kjupain/
Definition
- Noun:
- A relatively large rodent characterized by having sharp, stiff, and often barbed quills or spines mingled with its fur, which it can raise as a defense mechanism.
Usage
- The word "porcupine" is used to refer to the animal itself. It is a countable noun.
- It is typically used in general descriptions of the animal, its behavior, or its habitat.
Examples
- Noun:
- We saw a porcupine climbing a tree in the forest.
- The porcupine uses its quills for protection against predators.
- North American porcupines are primarily nocturnal.
Advanced Usage
- "to be like a porcupine": Used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that is prickly, defensive, or difficult to approach.
- After the criticism, he was like a porcupine, pushing everyone away.
Variants and Related Words
- Porcupinefish (noun): A type of fish (family Diodontidae) that can inflate its body and has spines, resembling a porcupine. This is a separate compound word.
- Porcupine grass (noun): A type of grass with sharp, pointed seeds.
Synonyms
- Hedgehog: Note: While sometimes confused, a hedgehog is a different, smaller insectivorous mammal (order Eulipotyphla) with shorter spines. It is not a true synonym but a common point of confusion.
- Spiny rodent: A descriptive term.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "To stick out like a porcupine": To be very obvious or conspicuous, often due to having a prickly or unusual appearance.
- With all those antennas, the building sticks out like a porcupine on the skyline.
Noun
-
relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ chứa "porcupine"
