noun
1. : a cage for a small animal (as a squirrel) that contains a cylinder revolving upon a horizontal axis when an animal moves within it
2.
a. : something resembling a squirrel cage in construction ; specifically : a secondary winding for an induction motor consisting of cylindrically arranged copper bars with ends connected by short-circuiting rings — compare phase-wound
b. : something resembling a squirrel cage in senselessness or repetitiveness