| hedgehog [`hej´häg] ORDNANCE 1. A portable obstacle, made of crossed poles laced with barbed wire, in the general shape of an hourglass. 2. A beach obstacle, usually made of steel bars or channel iron, imbedded in concrete and used to interfere with beach landings. 3. A concentration of troops securely entrenched or fortified, with arms and defenses facing all directions. VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY The common name for members of the insectivorous family Erinaceidae characterized by spines on their back and sides. |