Etymology From Middle English squirel, squyrelle, from Anglo-Norman esquirel and Old French escurel (whence French écureuil), from Vulgar Latin *scūriolus, diminutive of *scūrius, variant of Latin sciūrus, from Ancient Greek σκίουρος (skíouros, “shadow-tail”, from σκιά (skiá, “shadow”) + οὐρά (ourá, “tail”)). Displaced native Middle English acquerne, aquerne, from Old English ācweorna. See dialectical English con and puristic English oakwern.
1
Any of the rodents of the family Sciuridae.
tree squirrels
ground squirrels
2 more examples
flying squirrels
He also said that minks, muskrats, foxes, coons, and wild mice were found there, but no squirrels.1865, Henry David Thoreau, Cape Cod, Chapter IX, "The Sea and the Desert", page 187:
2
Especially Any of those distinguished typically by a large bushy tail; any of the tree squirrels of subfamily Sciurinae or phenotypically similar sciurids.
When without a qualifier
3
Someone who displays squirrel-like qualities such as stealing or hoarding objects.
4
One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
5
Scientology, Lifestyle, ReligionDerogatory, Often A person, usually a freezoner, who applies L. Ron Hubbard's technology in a heterodox manner.
Etymology From Middle English squirel, squyrelle, from Anglo-Norman esquirel and Old French escurel (whence French écureuil), from Vulgar Latin *scūriolus, diminutive of *scūrius, variant of Latin sciūrus, from Ancient Greek σκίουρος (skíouros, “shadow-tail”, from σκιά (skiá, “shadow”) + οὐρά (ourá, “tail”)). Displaced native Middle English acquerne, aquerne, from Old English ācweorna. See dialectical English con and puristic English oakwern.
1
To store in a secretive manner, to hide something for future use