Ur″chin (?), n. [OE. urchon, irchon, a hedgehog, OF. ireçon, eriçon, heri�on, herichon, F. hérisson, a derivative fr. L. ericius, from er a hedgehog, for her; akin to Gr. �. Cf. Herisson.]
1. (Zoöl.) A hedgehog.
2. (Zoöl.) A sea urchin. See Sea urchin.
3. A mischievous elf supposed sometimes to take the form a hedgehog. “We 'll dress like urchins, ouphes, and fairies.” Shak.
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. Knight.
Urchin fish(Zoöl.), a diodon.