squirrel

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Usage notes 1.4.2 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Anglo-Norman esquirel, from Old French escurel (modern French écureuil), from Vulgar Latin scuriolus, diminutive of scurius, variant of Latin sciurus, from Ancient Greek σκίουρος (skíouros) < σκιά (skiá), “‘shade, shadow’”) + οὐρά (ourá), “‘tail’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) & AusE IPA: /'skwɪr.^əl
• GenAm IPA: /'skwɜːr.^əl, 'skwʌɽ.əl/

 Audio (CA)^{help, file}

• Rhymes: -ɪrəl

[edit] Noun

squirrel (plural squirrels)

1. Any of the rodents of the family Sciuridae distinguished by their large bushy tail.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• gray squirrel
• red squirrel

[edit] Verb

to squirrel (third-person singular simple present squirrels, present participle squirreling, simple past and past participle squirreled)

1. with "away": To hoard in a hidden place, by analogy to squirrels' habit of hoarding nuts.
2. with "around": To move or search erratically, especially as if hurried or confused.

   My mother warned me not to squirrel around in my dad's workshop.

[edit] Usage notes

The participles with a double 'l' (squirrelling and squirrelled) are less common, but supported by the OED for UK usage.

[edit] Translations