Pōr'cu-pīne, n.

[O. Eng. porkpen, porpentine, O. Fr. porc-espi, now corrupted into porc-épic and porte-épine, Pr. porc espi, N. Pr. porc-espin, It. porco spino, porco spinoso, Sp. puerco espino, puerco espin, Pg. porco espinho, porco spin, from Lat. porcus, swine, and spina, thorn, spine; Ger. stachel-schwein, i. e., thorn-swine; Sw. piggsvin, i. e., prickle-swine; Dan. pindsvin, i. e., pin-swine.] (Zool.) A rodent quadruped of the genus Hystrix of Linnæus, furnished with spines or quills upon the body, covered with sharp prickles, some of which are twelve inches long, and capable of being erected at pleasure. When attacked, he rolls his body into a round form, in which position the prickles are presented in every direction to the enemy. This species is a native of Africa and Asia, and is also found in Italy.