ˈskwɪrəl n. & v. --n. 1
any rodent of
the family Sciuridae, e.g. the
red squirrel,
grey squirrel,
etc.,
often of
arboreal habits,
with a bushy tail arching
over its back,
and pointed ears. 2 the
fur of
this animal. 3 a
person who hoards objects,
food, etc. --v. (squirrelled, squirrelling; US squirreled, squirreling) 1 tr. (often foll. by away)
hoard (objects, food,
time, etc.) (squirrelled it
away in the cupboard). 2 intr. (often foll. by around) bustle
about. øsquirrel
cage 1 a
small cage containing a revolving
cylinder like a
treadmill, on
which a
captive squirrel
may exercise. 2 a
form of
rotor used in small
electric motors, resembling the cylinder of a squirrel cage. 3 a
monotonous or
repetitive way of
life. squirrel (or squirrel-tail)
grass a grass, Hordeum jubatum, with bushy spikelets. squirrel-monkey a small yellow-haired
monkey, Saimiri sciureus,
native to S. America. [ME f. AF esquirel, OF esquireul, ult. f. L sciurus f. Gk skiouros f. skia
shade + oura tail]
