squirrel cage

American  

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

noun

1. hamster wheel.

2. a cage containing a hamster wheel.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of squirrel cage

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

The animal is placed inside a big squirrel cage which revolves when the creature runs.

From Time Magazine Archive

The attainment of Nirvana allows us finally to step away from what one writer called "the squirrel cage of birth and rebirth" and enter into oneness with the cosmos.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various

She whirled her muff over and over upon her two hands like the wheel of a squirrel cage, regarding it intently with her pretty head on one side.

From The Philistines by Bates, Arlo

But she was sure of her ground, and begged them to take a look into the squirrel cage and this they did.

From The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Howard, Velma Swanston