squirrel

Etymology

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.

noun

1. Any of the rodents of the family Sciuridae distinguished by their large bushy tail.
   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
2. (Scientology, often derogatory) A person, usually a freezoner, who applies L. Ron Hubbard's technology in a heterodox manner.
3. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
4. Someone who displays a squirrel-like qualities such as stealing or hoarding objects.

verb

1. (transitive) To store in a secretive manner, to hide something for future use