Main Entry:

¹squir·rel

Pronunciation:

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

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural squirrels also squirrel

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

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