any arboreal sciurine rodent of the genus Sciurus, such as S. vulgaris (red squirrel) or S. carolinensis (grey squirrel), having a bushy tail and feeding on nuts, seeds, etc
▶ Related adjective: sciurine
2.
any other rodent of the family Sciuridae, such as a ground squirrel or a marmot
3.
the fur of such an animal
4. informal
a person who hoards things
verbWord forms: -rels, -relling, -relledWord forms: especially US-rels, -reling or -reled
5. (transitive; usually foll byaway) informal
to store for future use; hoard
Derived forms
squirrel-like (ˈsquirrel-ˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French esquireul, from Late Latin sciūrus, from Greek skiouros, from skia shadow + oura tail
Examples of 'squirrelling' in a sentence
squirrelling
Anne was in bed, the duvet drawn up half over her head as she often liked it - squirrelling warm, she called it.
Ashford, Jeffrey A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE
Squirrelling a bit away is an instinct.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These appeal to our squirrelling instinct and aesthetic sensibilities at the same time.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Or start squirrelling my money away in numbered accounts abroad.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Even so, squirrelling away indoors all weekend can feel a bit claustrophobic.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
One blacklist is intended to demonstrate that we know exactly how he has been squirrelling away his personal fortune.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is never too early to begin squirrelling away your prunings which are very useful for building supports later.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The authorities must produce the ball rather than squirrelling it into a safe, as has happened in previous ball-tampering incidents.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
As soon as you start working, you should begin squirrelling money away into a retirement fund.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A straw poll of my peers, all squirrelling away money for a deposit, confirms this is the case.