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Squirrel   /skwˈərəl/   Listen
noun
Squirrel  n.  
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. 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.
2.
One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
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.





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Squirrel" Quotes from Famous Books



... friends? And the soft, dainty, cunning bit of a fluffy ball of a kitten who comes rubbing its downy sides against the tiny girl's skirts begging for a return caress, is there a play-fellow more lovable? And the squirrel who comes begging at the window for nuts; the bunny rabbit who snuggles its delicate nose, trustingly, under the little boy's chin; the horse who has been man's friend in times of trouble and of peace, bearing his burdens or scampering with him over the fields ...
— Animal Children - The Friends of the Forest and the Plain • Edith Brown Kirkwood
... year married, and if I had not supported myself on my dignity as a married woman, should have been more than nervous, on my first introduction to a 'living poet,' though the poet was so different from what I had imagined. Her movements were as rapid as those of a squirrel. I wondered how anyone so quick could be so graceful. She had been making a cap for grandmamma, and would insist upon the old lady's putting it on, that I might see 'how pretty it was.' To this grandmamma (Mrs. Bishop) objected,—she 'couldn't' and she 'wouldn't' try it ...
— The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 89, March, 1865 • Various
... "Squirrel!" said Robin aloud, and the animal heard and saw him at the same moment, showing its annoyance at the presence of an intruder directly. For it began to switch its tail and scold after its fashion, loudly, its utterances seeming like a repetition of the word "chop" more ...
— Young Robin Hood • G. Manville Fenn
... the gray,—furs used for garments, and in heraldry. Vair is the skin of the squirrel, and was arranged in shields ...
— Hero Tales • James Baldwin
... cannot be at this time of the year," she answered. "See, there is a squirrel far up in the top and there are birds, and look—down there at the roots there is a rabbit hole with such a family in it. It is only in the winter you can be alone—and not even then, for you know there are the moles even if ...
— Halcyone • Elinor Glyn


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