1. a large rodent with sharp quills or spines covering its back and sides

Examples

• The porcupine raised its quills when it felt threatened.
• We saw a porcupine crossing the forest trail at dusk.
• Porcupines are excellent climbers and often sleep in trees.
• The dog learned to avoid porcupines after getting quills in its nose.
• North American porcupines can have up to 30,000 quills.
• The porcupine’s quills are actually modified hairs with barbed tips.