any of various large hystricomorph rodents of the families Hystricidae, of Africa, Indonesia, S Europe, and S Asia, and Erethizontidae, of the New World. All species have a body covering of protective spines or quills
Derived forms
porcupinish (ˈporcuˌpinish)
adjective
porcupiny (ˈporcuˌpiny)
adjective
Word origin
C14 porc despyne pig with spines, from Old French porc espin; see pork, spine
Examples of 'porpentine' in a sentence
porpentine
I have a porpentine story to raise a laugh in the most unpromising circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I have a lion story that would make each particular hair stand on end, like quills upon the fretful porpentine.