Squirrel Meaning
/ˈskwɪ.ɹ(ə)l/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny of the rodents of the family Sciuridae.
nounAny of the rodents of the family Sciuridae., Any of those distinguished typically by a large bushy tail; any of the tree squirrels of subfamily Sciurinae or phenotypically similar sciurids.
Sentence Examples
The squirrel was busy gathering nuts.
A squirrel hid among the branches.
A squirrel is taking a bath in the pond.
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the park, a ____ collects and stores nuts for the winter.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We watched a grey ____ burying a large nut in the garden to prepare for the long winter.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English squirel, squyrelle, from Anglo-Norman esquirel and Old French escurel (whence French écureuil), from Vulgar Latin *scūriolus, diminutive of *scūrius, variant of Latin sciūrus, from Ancient Greek σκίουρος (skíouros, “shadow-tail”, from σκιά (skiá, “shadow”) + οὐρά (ourá, “tail”)). Displaced native Middle English acquerne, aquerne, from Old English ācweorna. See dialectical English con and puristic English oakwern.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
In the park, a ____ collects and stores nuts for the winter.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We watched a grey ____ burying a large nut in the garden to prepare for the long winter.