squirrel

[ skwur-uhl, skwuhr-or, especially British, skwir-uhl ]

noun

plural squirrels, (especially collectively) squirrel.

1. any of numerous arboreal, bushy-tailed rodents of the genus Sciurus, of the family Sciuridae.
2. any of various other members of the family Sciuridae, as the chipmunks, flying squirrels, and woodchucks.
3. the meat of such an animal.
4. the pelt or fur of such an animal:

   a coat trimmed with squirrel.

verb (used with object)

squirreled, squirreling or (especially British) squirrelled, squirrelling.

1. to store or hide (money, valuables, etc.), usually for the future (often followed by away ):

   I've squirreled away a few dollars for an emergency.

squirrel

/ ˈskwʌr-; ˈskwɜːrəl; ˈskwɪrəl /

noun

1. any arboreal sciurine rodent of the genus Sciurus , such as S. vulgaris ( red squirrel ) or S. carolinensis ( grey squirrel ), having a bushy tail and feeding on nuts, seeds, etc sciurine
2. any other rodent of the family Sciuridae , such as a ground squirrel or a marmot
3. the fur of such an animal
4. informal.
   a person who hoards things

verb

1. informal.
   trusually foll byaway to store for future use; hoard

Derived Forms

• ˈsquirrel-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• squirrel·ish squirrel·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirrel¹

1325–75; Middle English squirel < Anglo-French escuirel ( Old French escuireul ) ≪ Vulgar Latin *scūrellus, *scūriolus, representing Latin sciurus (< Greek skíouros literally, shadow-tailed ( ski ( á ) shadow + -ouros, adj. derivative of ourá tail); apparently so called because the tail was large enough to provide shade for the rest of the animal) with diminutive suffixes -ellus, -olus

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirrel¹

C14: from Old French esquireul , from Late Latin sciūrus , from Greek skiouros , from skia shadow + oura tail

Example Sentences

The mice given microbes from the humans and squirrel monkeys had similar biology, even though these two larger-brained primate species are not close evolutionary relatives of one another.

From Science Daily

Since 2016, Millar has also been proud to be the Senedd's "species champion" for red squirrels, regularly raising the threat the endangered rodents are facing and the need to protect them.

From BBC

Yucca moth caterpillars, kangaroo rats and ground squirrels eat their seeds.

From Los Angeles Times

We met on the tree-lined terrace of a West Hollywood hotel, and as we spoke, a curious squirrel crawled closer on the eaves just a few feet away, determined to crash the interview.

From New York Times

He’s plotting something more lighthearted: a heist game involving squirrels.

From Los Angeles Times