squirrel

[skwur-uhl, skwuhr-, skwir-uhl]

noun

plural

squirrels ,

plural

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 , squirrelled, squirrelling .

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

   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

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,  to store for future use; hoard

Other Word Forms

• squirrelish adjective
• squirrellike adjective
• squirrel-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

In that case, sources said, most new Joshua tree growth would come from seeds brought into the burn scar by seed dispersers like antelope squirrels.

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Master Gogolev ran his hands through his wild hair until it resembled a squirrel’s nest.

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Now, for a squirrel to sacrifice even a single acorn in autumn is a profound act of generosity, as Penelope well knew.

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It was Nutsawoo, the bold and beady-eyed squirrel whom the children had improbably made into a pet.

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How a squirrel ended up smack dab in the middle of the dance floor was unknown.

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