| squirrel | 1. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera of the famly Sciuridae. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows. Among the common North American squirrels are the gray squirrel (Scirius Carolinensis) and its black variety; the fox, or cat, sqirrel (S. Cinereus, or S. Niger) which is a large species, and variable in colour, the southern variety being frequently black, while the northern and western varieties are usually gray or rusty brown; the red squirrel (see Chickaree); the striped, or chipping, squirrel (see Chipmunk); and the California gray squirrel (S. Fossor). Several other species inhabit Mexico and Central America. The common European species (Sciurus vulgaris) has a long tuft of hair on each ear. The so-called Australian squirrels are marsupials. See Petaurist, and Phalanger. 2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder. <zoology> Barking squirrel . See Jelerang. <botany> Squirrel corn, a grass (Hordeum jubatum) found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a dense spike beset with long awns. Origin: OE. Squirel, OF. Esquirel, escurel, F. Ecureuil, LL. Squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. Of L. Sciurus, Gr. Sioyros; skia shade + o'yra tail. Cf. Shine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| squirrel plague conjunctivitis | One of the causes of Parinaud's conjunctivitis. Synonym: tularaemic conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis tularensis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| squirrel porphyria | Porphyria as an apparently normal metabolic state seen in the Florida fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). (05 Mar 2000) |
| flying squirrel | <zoology> One of a group of squirrels, of the genera Pteromus and Sciuropterus, having parachute-like folds of skin extending from the fore to the hind legs, which enable them to make very long leaps. The species of Pteromys are large, with bushy tails, and inhabit southern Asia and the East Indies; those of Sciuropterus are smaller, with flat tails, and inhabit the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America. The American species (Sciuropterus volucella) is also called Assapan. The Australian flying squrrels, or flying phalangers, are marsupials. See Flying phalanger (above). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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