First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1squirrel
noun squir·rel \ˈskwər(-ə)l, ˈskwə-rəl, chiefly British ˈskwir-əl\
: a small animal with a long tail and soft fur that lives in trees
plural squirrels also squirrel
Full Definition of SQUIRREL
1
: any of various small or medium-sized rodents (family Sciuridae, the squirrel family): as a : any of numerous New or Old World arboreal forms having a long bushy tail and strong hind legs b : ground squirrel
2
: the fur of a squirrel
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Origin of SQUIRREL
2squirrel
transitive verb
squirreled or squirrelledsquirrel·ing or squirrel·ling
Definition of SQUIRREL
: to store up for future use —often used with away <squirrel away some money>
Origin of SQUIRREL
from the squirrel's habit of storing up gathered nuts and seeds for winter use
First Known Use: 1925
SQUIRRELING Defined for Kids
squirrel
noun squir·rel \ˈskwər-əl\
Definition of SQUIRREL for Kids
: a small gnawing animal that is a rodent usually with a bushy tail and soft fur and strong hind legs used especially for leaping among tree branches
Word History of SQUIRREL
When a squirrel sits up, its long tail curves up and over its head and sometimes casts a shadow. The English word squirrel comes ultimately from the Greek word for a squirrel, skiouros, which is thought to mean “shadow-tailed” (skia, “shadow,” plus oura, “tail”).
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