/ ˈskwɪrəl; NAmE ˈskwɜːrəl/ noun , verb
■ noun
a small animal with a long thick tail and red, grey or black fur. Squirrels eat nuts and live in trees.
—see also ground squirrel
■ verb
( -ll- , NAmE -l- )
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PHRASAL VERBS
- squirrel sth away
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : shortening of Old French esquireul , from a diminutive of Latin sciurus , from Greek skiouros , from skia shade + oura tail. Current verb senses date from the early 20th cent.