squirrel

Main Entry: ¹squir·rel

Pronunciation: \ˈskwər(-ə)l, ˈskwə-rəl, chiefly British ˈskwir-əl\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural squirrels also squirrel

Etymology: Middle English squirel, from Anglo-French escurel, esquirel, from Vulgar Latin *scuriolus, diminutive of scurius, alteration of Latin sciurus, from Greek skiouros, probably from skia shadow + oura tail — more at shine, ass

Date: 14th century

1 : any of various small or medium-sized rodents (family Sciuridae, the squirrel family): as a : any of numerous New or Old World arboreal forms having a long bushy tail and strong hind legs b : ground squirrel
2 : the fur of a squirrel