■ noun an agile tree-dwelling rodent with a bushy tail, typically feeding on nuts and seeds. [ Sciurus and other genera: numerous species.]
↘used in names of other rodents of the same family (Sciuridae), e.g. ground ~ .
■ verb ( ~s , ~ling , ~led ; US ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 ( ~ something away ) hide money or valuables in a safe place.
2》 move about inquisitively or busily.
Origin
ME: shortening of OFr. esquireul , from a dimin. of L. sciurus , from Gk skiouros , from skia 'shade' + oura 'tail'.