erizo

noun

eri·​zo

ə̇ˈrē(ˌ)zō,

-)sō

plural -s

1

: any of several porcupine fishes

2

[American Spanish, from Spanish]

a

: the strong bast fiber of a South American timber tree (Apeiba tibourbou) of the family Tiliaceae

b

: the tree that yields erizo

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, hedgehog, from Latin ericius

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now