Squirrel definition

Squirrel





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2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Squirrel \Squir"rel\ (skw[~e]r"r[e^]l or skw[i^]r"-; 277), n.
     [OE. squirel, OF. esquirel, escurel, F. ['e]cureuil, LL.
     squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. of L. sciurus, Gr.
     si`oyros; skia` shade + o'yra` tail. Cf. {Shine}, v. i.]
     1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents
        belonging to the genus {Sciurus} and several allied genera


        of the family {Sciuridae}. Squirrels generally have a
        bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They
        are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species
        live in burrows.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Among the common North American squirrels are the gray
           squirrel ({Sciurus Carolinensis}) and its black
           variety; the fox, or cat, squirrel ({Sciurus cinereus},
           or {Sciurus niger}) which is a large species, and
           variable in color, the southern variety being
           frequently black, while the northern and western
           varieties are usually gray or rusty brown; the red
           squirrel (see {Chickaree}); the striped, or chipping,
           squirrel (see {Chipmunk}); and the California gray
           squirrel ({Sciurus fossor}). Several other species
           inhabit Mexico and Central America. The common European
           species ({Sciurus vulgaris}) has a long tuft of hair on
           each ear. The so-called Australian squirrels are
           marsupials. See {Petaurist}, and {Phalanger}.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work
        with the large cylinder.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Barking squirrel} (Zool.), the prairie dog.
  
     {Federation squirrel} (Zool.), the striped gopher. See
        {Gopher}, 2.
  
     {Flying squirrel} (Zool.). See {Flying squirrel}, in the
        Vocabulary.
  
     {Java squirrel}. (Zool.). See {Jelerang}.
  
     {Squirrel corn} (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicentra
        Canadensis}) bearing little yellow tubers.
  
     {Squirrel cup} (Bot.), the blossom of the {Hepatica triloba},
        a low perennial herb with cup-shaped flowers varying from
        purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the
        earliest flowers of spring.
  
     {Squirrel fish}. (Zool.)
        (a) A sea bass ({Serranus fascicularis}) of the Southern
            United States.
        (b) The sailor's choice ({Diplodus rhomboides}).
        (c) The redmouth, or grunt.
        (d) A market fish of Bermuda ({Holocentrum Ascensione}).
            
  
     {Squirrel grass} (Bot.), a pestiferous grass ({Hordeum
        murinum}) related to barley. In California the stiffly
        awned spikelets work into the wool of sheep, and into the
        throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even
        producing death.
  
     {Squirrel hake} (Zool.), a common American hake ({Phycis
        tenuis}); -- called also {white hake}.
  
     {Squirrel hawk} (Zool.), any rough-legged hawk; especially,
        the California species {Archibuteo ferrugineus}.
  
     {Squirrel monkey}. (Zool.)
        (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South
            American monkeys of the genus {Callithrix}. They are
            noted for their graceful form and agility. See
            {Teetee}.
        (b) A marmoset.
  
     {Squirrel petaurus} (Zool.), a flying phalanger of Australia.
        See {Phalanger}, {Petaurist}, and {Flying phalanger} under
        {Flying}.
  
     {Squirrel shrew} (Zool.), any one of several species of East
        Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus {Tupaia}.
        They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy tail, like
        that of a squirrel.
  
     {Squirrel-tail grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Hordeum jubatum})
        found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a
        dense spike beset with long awns.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  squirrel
       n 1: a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
       2: the fur of a squirrel

















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