Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small to medium-sized arboreal rodent: A mammal belonging to the family Sciuridae, characterized by a bushy tail, sharp claws for climbing, and typically active during the day (diurnal). They are known for gathering and storing nuts and seeds.
   • The fur of this animal: The soft, typically gray or reddish-brown pelt of a squirrel, sometimes used in clothing or trim.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Animal):
  • The squirrel quickly ran up the tree with an acorn in its mouth.
  • We often see red squirrels and gray squirrels in the park.
• Noun (Fur):
  • The vintage coat was trimmed with squirrel.

Advanced Usage

• "To squirrel something away": This is a common idiomatic verb phrase meaning to hide or store something, especially money or valuables, for future use. It derives from the animal's behavior of storing food.
  • She has a habit of squirreling away cash in different books around the house.
  • He squirreled away his childhood toys in the attic.

Variants and Related Words

• Sciurid (adj/n): Relating to or denoting rodents of the squirrel family (Sciuridae).
• Squirrelly (adj, informal): Restless, nervous, or eccentric.
  • He's been acting a bit squirrelly ever since the incident.

Synonyms

• For the animal: Tree rodent, chipmunk (a related, smaller ground squirrel with stripes).
• For the action ("squirrel away"): Hoard, stash, cache, save, stockpile.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Verb Phrases

• Squirrel away: As defined in 'Advanced Usage', to save or hide something for the future.
  • It's wise to squirrel away some savings for an emergency.

Related Idioms

• "As nimble as a squirrel": Very quick and agile.
  • The young gymnast was as nimble as a squirrel on the balance beam.

Noun

1. the fur of a squirrel
2. a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail