Squirrel
/ˈskwɪr.əl/noun
A small rodent with a bushy tail, often seen climbing trees and gathering food.
Did you know?The English word *squirrel* came through Anglo-Norman and Old French from a Latinized form of Greek *skiouros*, meaning “shadow-tailed,” a vivid name for the animal’s huge tail held over its back.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
skiouros
““shadow-tailed” or “tail-shadower,” a name for the squirrel”
Late Latin
Latin
sciurus
“A Latinized borrowing of the Greek animal name”
Old French
Old French
esquirel
“Squirrel”
Middle English
English
squirel
“Squirrel”
Modern English
English
squirrel
“A small tree-dwelling rodent with a bushy tail”