I. ˈskwər(-ə)l, ˈskwə-rəl, chiefly Brit ˈskwir-əl noun
( 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
II. transitive verb
( -reled or -relled ; -rel·ing or -rel·ling )
Etymology: from the squirrel's habit of storing up gathered nuts and seeds for winter use
Date: 1925
: to store up for future use — often used with away
squirrel away some money