First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
urchin
noun ur·chin \ˈər-chən\
: a usually poor and dirty child who annoys people or causes minor trouble
Full Definition of URCHIN
1
archaic : hedgehog 1a
2
: a mischievous and often poor and raggedly clothed youngster <street urchins>
3
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Origin of URCHIN
Middle English yrchoun, urchoun, from Anglo-French heriçun, hirechoun, from Old French *eriz, from Latin ericius, from eris; akin to Greek chēr hedgehog
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
URCHIN Defined for Kids
urchin
noun ur·chin \ˈər-chən\
Definition of URCHIN for Kids
1
: a mischievous or disrespectful youngster
2
Word History of URCHIN
The English word urchin first meant “hedgehog.” In the 1500s some people seem to have compared mischievous children to hedgehogs and began calling them urchins. The sea urchin got its name because it has spines like a hedgehog.
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