Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Urchin
Ur′chin
(û′chĭn)
, Noun.
[OE.
urchon
, irchon
, a hedgehog, OF. ireçon
, eriçon
, heriçon
, herichon
, F. hérisson
, a derivative fr. L. ericius
, from er
a hedgehog, for her
; akin to Gr. χήρ
. Cf. Herisson
.] 1.
(Zool.)
A hedgehog.
3.
A mischievous elf supposed sometimes to take the form a hedgehog.
“We ’ll dress [them] like urchins, ouphes, and fairies.” Shak.
4.
A pert or roguish child; – now commonly used only of a boy.
And the
Forever on watch ran off each with a prize.
urchins
that stand with their thievish eyesForever on watch ran off each with a prize.
W. Howitt.
You did indeed dissemble, you
urchin
you; but where's the girl that won't dissemble for an husband? Goldsmith.
5.
One of a pair in a series of small card cylinders, arranged around a carding drum; – so called from its fancied resemblance to the hedgehog.
Knight.
Urchin fish
(Zool.)
, a diodon.
Ur′chin
,Adj.
Rough; pricking; piercing.
[R.]
“Helping all urchin blasts.” Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Urchin
UR'CHIN
,Noun.
1.
A name given to the hedgehog.2.
A name of slight anger given to a child; as, the little urchin cried.