squirrel

¹squir·rel

noun
\ˈskwər(-ə)l, ˈskwə-rəl, chiefly British ˈskwir-əl\

plural squirrels also squirrel

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

Origin of SQUIRREL

Middle English squirel, from Anglo-French escurel, esquirel, from Vulgar Latin *scuriolus, diminutive of scurius, alteration of Latin *sciurus, from Greek skiouros, probably from skia shadow + oura tail — more at shine, ass

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with SQUIRREL

bharal, scurrile