squirrel cage

[ skwur-uhl keyj, skwuhr-uhl ]

noun

1. hamster wheel ( defs 1, 2 ).
2. a cage containing a hamster wheel.

squirrel cage

noun

1. a cage consisting of a cylindrical framework that is made to rotate by a small animal running inside the framework
2. a repetitive purposeless task, way of life, etc
3. Also calledsquirrel-cage motor electrical engineering the rotor of an induction motor with a cylindrical winding having copper bars around the periphery parallel to the axis
4. an electric fan with many long narrow blades arranged in parallel so as to form a cylinder about an axis around which they spin

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirrel cage¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Fixing the fire, and now I'm going to see about getting the right sort of wood for the floor of a squirrel-cage.

From Project Gutenberg

The squirrel-cage also prevents “hunting” which is one of the common troubles experienced with synchronous motors or converters.

From Project Gutenberg

This ring is made up of laminated disks with squirrel-cage bars and slots alternating.

From Project Gutenberg

And you could call the place the Squirrel-Cage, suggested Bob.

From Project Gutenberg

There was great consultation all that day, which ended in Tom Stubbs bringing a squirrel-cage.

From Project Gutenberg