tree squirrel

American  

noun

1. any squirrel of the genus Sciurus, with a long, bushy tail, familiar in parks and wooded areas throughout temperate regions.

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Etymology

Origin of tree squirrel

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The Eastern gray tree squirrel, or Sciurus carolinensis, has been so spectacularly successful that it is often considered a pest.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2010

This was not understood, as the Utes have no sign for the tree squirrel, the arboreal animal not being now found in their region.

From Sign Language Among North American Indians Compared With That Among Other Peoples And Deaf-Mutes First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-1880, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 263-552 by Mallery, Garrick

A boreal tree squirrel, such as Tamiasciurus, could hardly be suspected of crossing a treeless, intermontane desert valley, miles wide.

From Speciation of the Wandering Shrew by Findley, James S.

They were awakened by Possum, who was indignantly reproaching a tree squirrel for not coming down to be killed.

From The Valley of the Moon by London, Jack

"It were a tree squirrel and three little just-hatched ones in a bunch," Stonie answered with due dramatic weight at Rose Mary's plea.

From Rose of Old Harpeth by Daviess, Maria Thompson