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Definitions for: Squirrel
[n] a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
[n] the fur of a squirrel
Webster (1913) Definition: 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. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents
belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera
of the family Sciurid[ae]. 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 (Scirius Carolinensis) and its black
variety; the fox, or cat, sqirrel (S. cinereus, or
S. 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 ({S.
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 (Zo["o]l.), the prairie dog.
Federation squirrel (Zo["o]l.), the striped gopher. See
Gopher, 2.
Flying squirrel (Zo["o]l.). See Flying squirrel, in the
Vocabulary.
Java squirrel (Zo["o]l.). See Jelerang.
Squirrel corn (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicantra
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 (Zo["o]l.)
(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 spiklets work into the wool of sheep, and into the
throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even
producing death.
Squirrel hake (Zo["o]l.), a common American hake ({Phycis
tenuis}); -- called also white hake.
Squirrel hawk (Zo["o]l.), any rough-legged hawk;
especially, the California species {Archibuteo
ferrugineus}.
Squirrel monkey. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South
American monkeys of the genus Calithrix. They are
noted for their graceful form and agility. See
Teetee.
(b) A marmoset.
Squirrel petaurus (Zo["o]l.), a flying phalanger of
Australia. See Phalanger, Petaurist, and {Flying
phalanger} under Flying.
Squirrel shrew (Zo["o]l.), 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.
See Also: American flying squirrel, Asiatic flying squirrel, baranduki, baronduki, barunduki, burunduki, chipmunk, eastern chipmunk, Eutamius asiaticus, Eutamius sibiricus, family Sciuridae, fur, gnawer, gnawing animal, gopher, ground squirrel, hackee, pelt, rodent, Sciuridae, spermophile, striped squirrel, Tamias striatus, tree squirrel
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