\Squir"rel\ (skw[~e]r"r[~e]l or skw[i^]r"-; 277), n.
[OE. squirel, OF. esquirel, escurel, F. ['e]cureuil, LL.
squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. of L. sciurus, Gr.
si`oyros; skia` shade + o'yra` tail. Cf. {Shine}, v. i.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents
   belonging to the genus {Sciurus} and several allied genera
   of the family {Sciurid[ae]}. Squirrels generally have a
   bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They
   are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species
   live in burrows.
Note: Among the common North American squirrels are the gray
      squirrel ({Scirius Carolinensis}) and its black
      variety; the fox, or cat, sqirrel ({S. cinereus}, or
      {S. niger}) which is a large species, and variable in
      color, the southern variety being frequently black,
      while the northern and western varieties are usually
      gray or rusty brown; the red squirrel (see
      {Chickaree}); the striped, or chipping, squirrel (see
      {Chipmunk}); and the California gray squirrel ({S.
      fossor}). Several other species inhabit Mexico and
      Central America. The common European species ({Sciurus
      vulgaris}) has a long tuft of hair on each ear. the
      so-called Australian squirrels are marsupials. See
      {Petaurist}, and {Phalanger}.
2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work
   with the large cylinder.
{Barking squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), the prairie dog.
{Federation squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), the striped gopher. See
   {Gopher}, 2.
{Flying squirrel} (Zo["o]l.). See {Flying squirrel}, in the
   Vocabulary.
{Java squirrel} (Zo["o]l.). See {Jelerang}.
{Squirrel corn} (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicantra
   Canadensis}) bearing little yellow tubers.
{Squirrel cup} (Bot.), the blossom of the {Hepatica triloba},
   a low perennial herb with cup-shaped flowers varying from
   purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the
   earliest flowers of spring.
{Squirrel fish} (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A sea bass ({Serranus fascicularis}) of the Southern
       United States.
   (b) The sailor's choice ({Diplodus rhomboides}).
   (c) The redmouth, or grunt.
   (d) A market fish of Bermuda ({Holocentrum Ascensione}).
{Squirrel grass} (Bot.), a pestiferous grass ({Hordeum
   murinum}) related to barley. In California the stiffly
   awned spiklets work into the wool of sheep, and into the
   throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even
   producing death.
{Squirrel hake} (Zo["o]l.), a common American hake ({Phycis
   tenuis}); -- called also {white hake}.
{Squirrel hawk} (Zo["o]l.), any rough-legged hawk;
   especially, the California species {Archibuteo
   ferrugineus}.
{Squirrel monkey}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South
       American monkeys of the genus {Calithrix}. They are
       noted for their graceful form and agility. See
       {Teetee}.
   (b) A marmoset.
{Squirrel petaurus} (Zo["o]l.), a flying phalanger of
   Australia. See {Phalanger}, {Petaurist}, and {Flying
   phalanger} under {Flying}.
{Squirrel shrew} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
   East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus
   {Tupaia}. They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy
   tail, like that of a squirrel.
{Squirrel-tail grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Hordeum jubatum})
   found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a
   dense spike beset with long awns.