squirrel
- any of numerous arboreal, bushy-tailed rodents of the genus Sciurus, of the family Sciuridae.
- any of various other members of the family Sciuridae, as the chipmunks, flying squirrels, and woodchucks.
- the meat of such an animal.
- the pelt or fur of such an animal: a coat trimmed with squirrel.
- 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.
Origin of squirrel
squirrel
- 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, etcRelated adjective: sciurine
- any other rodent of the family Sciuridae, such as a ground squirrel or a marmot
- the fur of such an animal
- informal a person who hoards things
- (tr usually foll by away) informal to store for future use; hoard
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for squirrel away
squirrel
n.
early 14c., from Anglo-French esquirel, Old French escurel (Modern French écureuil), from Vulgar Latin *scuriolus, diminutive of *scurius "squirrel," variant of Latin sciurus, from Greek skiouros "a squirrel," literally "shadow-tailed," from skia "shadow" (see shine (v.)) + oura "tail." Perhaps the original notion is "that which makes a shade with its tail." The Old English word was acweorna, which survived into Middle English as aquerne.
squirrel
v.
"to hoard up, store away" (as a squirrel does nuts), 1939, from squirrel (n.). Related: Squirreled; squirreling.
Idioms and Phrases with squirrel away
squirrel away
Hide or store, as in She squirreled away her savings in at least four different banks. This expression alludes to the squirrel's habit of hiding nuts and acorns in the ground. [First half of 1900s]