ˈpɔ:kjupaɪn n. 1
any rodent of
the family Hystricidae
native to Africa, Asia,
and SE Europe, or the family Erethizontidae native to America, having
defensive spines or quills. 2 (attrib.) denoting any of
various animals or
other organisms
with spines. øporcupine fish a
marine fish, Diodon hystrix, covered with
sharp spines and
often distending
itself into a
spherical shape. øøporcupinish adj. porcupiny adj. [ME f. OF porc espin f. Prov. porc espi(n) ult. f. L porcus
pig + spina thorn]