sciurine

[ sahy-yoo-rahyn, -rin ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the squirrels and allied rodents of the family Sciuridae.

sciurine

/ ˈsaɪjʊrɪn; -ˌraɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Sciuridae, a family of rodents inhabiting most parts of the world except Australia and southern South America: includes squirrels, marmots, and chipmunks

noun

1. any sciurine animal

Other Words From

• sci·u·rid [sahy-, yoor, -id], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sciurine¹

1835–45; < Latin sciūr ( us ) squirrel + -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sciurine¹

C19: from Latin sciūrus, from Greek skiouros squirrel, from skia a shadow + oura a tail