squirrel

[ skwur-uhl, skwuhr-or, especially British, skwir-uhl ]

noun

, plural squir·rels, (especially collectively) squir·rel.

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)

, squir·reled, squir·rel·ing or (especially British) squir·relled, squir·rel·ling.

1. 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.

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 sciurine
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.
   trusually foll byaway to store for future use; hoard

Derived Forms

• ˈsquirrel-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• squirrel·ish squirrel·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

If it hadn't been for the squirrels, George Matthew's attempt to become a cocoa bean producer might have failed.

From BBC

Under natural conditions—say, birds or squirrels taking a nut from one tree and dropping it nearby—you would expect closely grouped trees to be closely related.

From Science Magazine

Carl, a kind raccoon who loves to collect things, lives in a fictional world called Fuzzytown with his friends, including twin rabbits, a helpful beaver, a reserved fox and an energetic squirrel.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, it has been reported that EU legislation to protect the rare Siberian flying squirrel has also slowed down major infrastructure projects in places like Finland.

From BBC

The man caring for an internet-famous squirrel named Peanut is pleading with New York authorities to return it after it was seized by authorities.

From BBC