urchin etymology

Etymology:

• Late Middle English (in the sense ‘hedgehog’): from Old French oursin ‘sea-urchin’, from Late Latin ursinus ‘of a bear’ (from Latin ursus ‘bear’), perhaps in reference to its spines.

Meaning:

• A small, usually spherical marine animal with a calcareous shell covered in movable spines.
• A young child, especially a mischievous or naughty one.

Origin:

The word "urchin" originated in the late 15th century as a term for a hedgehog. The word is derived from the Old French word "oursin," which comes from the Latin word "ursinus," meaning "bear-like." This is likely due to the fact that hedgehogs have spiky coats that resemble the fur of bears. Over time, the word "urchin" came to be used to refer to young children, particularly those who were mischievous or naughty. This is likely because hedgehogs are known for being playful and curious creatures.

urchin relate terms

• horror

  Etymology Latin horror Proto Indo European kwer meaning to tremble Meaning a

• sea urchin

  Etymology Sea urchin is derived from Middle English see urchyn meaning hedgehog of

• urchin

  Etymology Late Middle English in the sense hedgehog from Old French oursin

• gamin

  Etymology French gamin Late Latin campanulus little bell ringer Meaning A mi

• echidna

  Etymology The word echidna comes from the Ancient Greek word ἐχῖδνα ekhídna

• minor

  Etymology The word minor originates from the comparative form of the Latin adjective

• child

  Etymology The word child is derived from the Old English word cild which is itself

• anathema

  Etymology Anathema is derived from the Greek word anáthema which means something de

• precarious

  Etymology The word precarious comes from the Late Latin word precarius meaning obt