'Squirrel shrew' definitions:

Definition of 'Squirrel shrew'

From: GCIDE
  • Squirrel \Squir"rel\ (skw[~e]r"r[e^]l or skw[i^]r"-; 277), n. [OE. squirel, OF. esquirel, escurel, F. ['e]cureuil, LL. squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. of L. sciurus, Gr. si`oyros; skia` shade + o'yra` tail. Cf. Shine, v. i.]
  • 1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera of the family 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Among the common North American squirrels are the gray squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis) and its black variety; the fox, or cat, squirrel (Sciurus cinereus, or Sciurus niger) which is a large species, and variable in color, 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 (Sciurus 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder. [1913 Webster]
  • Barking squirrel (Zool.), the prairie dog.
  • Federation squirrel (Zool.), the striped gopher. See Gopher, 2.
  • Flying squirrel (Zool.). See Flying squirrel, in the Vocabulary.
  • Java squirrel. (Zool.). See Jelerang.
  • Squirrel corn (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicentra Canadensis}) bearing little yellow tubers.
  • Squirrel cup (Bot.), the blossom of the Hepatica triloba, a low perennial herb with cup-shaped flowers varying from purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the earliest flowers of spring.
  • Squirrel fish. (Zool.) (a) A sea bass (Serranus fascicularis) of the Southern United States. (b) The sailor's choice (Diplodus rhomboides). (c) The redmouth, or grunt. (d) A market fish of Bermuda (Holocentrum Ascensione).
  • Squirrel grass (Bot.), a pestiferous grass ({Hordeum murinum}) related to barley. In California the stiffly awned spikelets work into the wool of sheep, and into the throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even producing death.
  • Squirrel hake (Zool.), a common American hake ({Phycis tenuis}); -- called also white hake.
  • Squirrel hawk (Zool.), any rough-legged hawk; especially, the California species Archibuteo ferrugineus.
  • Squirrel monkey. (Zool.) (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South American monkeys of the genus Callithrix. They are noted for their graceful form and agility. See Teetee. (b) A marmoset.
  • Squirrel petaurus (Zool.), a flying phalanger of Australia. See Phalanger, Petaurist, and Flying phalanger under Flying.
  • Squirrel shrew (Zool.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus Tupaia. They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy tail, like that of a squirrel.
  • Squirrel-tail grass (Bot.), a grass (Hordeum jubatum) found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a dense spike beset with long awns. [1913 Webster]