hurcheon Now Sc. and north. dial.
(ˈhɜːtʃən)
Forms: 4 hircho(u)n, 5 hurchon, -yn, hyrchoun, 6 hurcheoun, hyrchen, 6– hurcheon, 8–9 hurchin, 9 -ent.
[a. ONF. herichon, OF. heri{cced}un (12th c. in Littré), mod.F. hérisson (in Hainault hirchon, hurchon, Picard hérichon, irechon):—pop. L. *hēriciōn-em, f. hēricius, late form of ēricius hedgehog. See also urchin.]
1. A hedgehog.
| c 1325 Gloss W. de Biblesw. in Wright Voc. 165 Yriȝoun, an hirchoun. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xiv. lvii. (Tollem. MS.), Also hirchonis [1535 yrchins] and hares flew to holow stones. c 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 639/11 Hic erinacius, hurchon. 1597 Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 15, I saw the hurcheoun and the hair..Wer happing to and fro. a 1605 ― Flyting w. Polwart 336 With hurcheons eatand hips and hawes. 1883 Huddersf. Gloss., Hurchent, Hurchin. 1893 Heslop Northumbld. Gloss., Hurchin, Hurcheon, the hedge hog. |
| transf. 1508 Dunbar Flyting w. Kennedie 179 Hard hurcheoun, hirpland, hippit as ane harrow. 1894 Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet 55 The wizened auld hurcheon. |
| attrib. 1508 Dunbar Tua mariit wemen 107 With his hard hurcheone skyn sa heklis he my chekis. 1790 Burns Elegy Capt. Henderson i, The meikle devil..Haurl thee hame to his black smiddie, O'er hurcheon hides. |
2. A mischievous person; an urchin.
| 1785 Burns Jolly Beggars Recit. vii. ii, Hurchin Cupid shot a shaft That play'd a dame a shavie. |