Definition of Urchin
1. Noun. Poor and often mischievous city child.
Generic synonyms: Child,
Fry,
Kid,
Minor,
Nestling,
Nipper,
Shaver,
Small Fry,
Tiddler,
Tike,
Tyke,
YoungsterSpecialized synonyms: Ragamuffin,
Tatterdemalion,
Guttersnipe,
Street Urchin
Definition of Urchin
1. n. A hedgehog.
2. a. Rough; pricking; piercing.
3. n. A hedgehog.
4. a. Rough; pricking; piercing.
Definition of Urchin
1. a mischievous boy [n -S]
Medical Definition of Urchin
1.
1. A hedgehog.
2. A sea urchin. See Sea urchin.
3. A mischievous elf supposed sometimes to take the form a hedgehog. "We 'll dress [them] like urchins, ouphes, and fairies."
4. A pert or roguish child; now commonly used only of a boy. "And the urchins that stand with their thievish eyes Forever 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.
Urchin fish, a diodon.
Origin: OE. Urchon, irchon, a hedgehog, OF. Irecon, ericon, herion, herichon, F. Herisson, a derivative fr. L. Ericius, from er a hedgehog, for her; akin to Gr. Cf. Herisson.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Urchin
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