Definition of: porcupine

(pôr′·kyə·pīn) noun
A large, hystricomorphic rodent, having coarse hair thickly interspersed with erectile quill–like spines used for defense. Hystrix cristata is the common porcupine of the Mediterranean region; Erethizon dorsatum is the common Canada porcupine of eastern North America: also called hedgehog. [<OF porc espin, lit., a spiny hog <porc a hog (<L porcus) + espin a thorn <L spina]
CANADA PORCUPINE
(From 30 to 35 inches long in body length)