squirrel cage

American  

[skwur-uhl keyj, skwuhr-uhl] / ˈskwɜr əl ˌkeɪdʒ, ˈskwʌr əl /

noun

1. hamster wheel.

2. a cage containing a hamster wheel.

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squirrel cage British  

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 called: squirrel-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

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Etymology

Origin of squirrel cage

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

The trick, Anne said, is opening the squirrel cages to put in food without the squirrels getting out.

From Washington Post

A squirrel cage provides nesting areas resembling Georgian town houses, along with a pet running wheel attached to mechanical figures who come to life when it turns.

From New York Times

The ends are secured in flanges like the wires of a squirrel cage.

From Project Gutenberg

The world whirls like a wheel in a squirrel cage which we all tread:––only to find ourselves together after travelling many, many miles at top speed!...

From Project Gutenberg

It is the girl whirled around in a squirrel cage of pointless weekly and Sunday engagements who is oppressed and mastered by her lack of freedom.

From Project Gutenberg