6 entries found for squirrel To select an entry, click on it.
Main Entry: 1squir·rel Pronunciation: skwr(-)l, skw-rl Inflected
Form(s): plural squirrels also squirrel Etymology: Middle
English squirel "squirrel," from early French esquirel (same
meaning), derived from Latin sciurus (same meaning), from Greek
skiouros "squirrel," from skia "shadow" and oura any of various
small or medium-sized rodents; especially : one with a long
bushy tail and strong hind legs used especially for leaping from
tree branch to tree branch2 : the fur of a squirrelWord History
When a squirrel sits up to eat or to look around, it often
raises its bushy tail up against its back and over its head as
if to shade itself. The ancient Greeks noticed this habit, and
they called the animal skiouros. This word was made up of skia,
meaning "shadow," and oura, "tail." The Romans turned this into
the Latin word sciurus, which made its way into early French as
esquirel. was borrowed from the French.