squirrel

plural squirrels · alternative obsolete squirril

1. Any of the rodents of the family Sciuridae.

   tree squirrels

   3 more examples

   ground squirrels

   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

   Synonyms: sciurid

   1. especiallywhen without a qualifierAny of those distinguished typically by a large bushy tail; any of the tree squirrels of subfamily Sciurinae or phenotypically similar sciurids.

      Synonyms: sciurid, scug

2. figurativelySomeone who displays squirrel-like qualities such as stealing or hoarding objects.
3. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
4. derogatoryoftenScientologyA person, usually a freezoner, who applies L. Ron Hubbard's technology in a heterodox manner.

present singular third person squirrels · US participle present squirreling · UK participle present squirrelling · US participle past squirreled · US past squirreled · UK participle past squirrelled · UK past squirrelled · alternative obsolete squirril

1. figurativelytransitiveTo store in a secretive manner, to hide something for future use.
2. figurativelyintransitiveTo become distracted.