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Porcupine: meaning, definitions and examples

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porcupine

 

[ ˈpɔrkɪˌpaɪn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal type

A porcupine is a large rodent known for its coat of sharp spines, or quills, which serve as a defense mechanism against predators. These creatures are mostly nocturnal and are found in forests, grasslands, and other habitats across the Americas, Africa, and parts of Asia. Porcupines are herbivorous, primarily feeding on leaves, fruits, and bark. They can also climb trees quite well, which aids in foraging for food. When threatened, porcupines may rattle their quills or charge backward to drive them into an attacker.

Synonyms

porky, quill pig, thorny creature

Examples of usage

  • The porcupine climbed the tree quickly.
  • He was surprised to find a porcupine in his backyard.
  • Porcupines eat mostly bark and leaves.
  • The porcupine's quills can deter most predators.

Translations

Translations of the word "porcupine" in other languages:

🇵🇹 porco-espinho

🇮🇳 गिलहरी

🇩🇪 Stachelschwein

🇮🇩 landak

🇺🇦 дикобраз

🇵🇱 jeżozwierz

🇯🇵 ヤマアラシ

🇫🇷 porc-épic

🇪🇸 puercoespín

🇹🇷 kirpi

🇰🇷 호저

🇸🇦 القنفذ

🇨🇿 ježek

🇸🇰 ježko

🇨🇳 豪猪

🇸🇮 bodika

🇮🇸 nashyr

🇰🇿 түзу

🇬🇪 ძაღლურ

🇦🇿 dovşan

🇲🇽 puercoespín

Etymology

The word 'porcupine' comes from the Middle French word 'porc espin', which means 'spined pig'. This term reflects the animal's physical characteristics, specifically its quills that resemble spines. The term can be traced back to the Latin 'porcus', meaning 'pig', and 'spina', meaning 'thorn' or 'spine'. Porcupines belong to the family Erethizontidae and have a long history, with evidence of their existence dating back to the late Cenozoic era. Over time, the name has evolved into its modern form while retaining its association with the animal's unique appearance and behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,706, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.