flying squirrel n 1: nocturnal phalangers that move with gliding leaps using parachute-like folds of skin along the sides of the body [syn: flying phalanger, flying opossum, flying squirrel}]

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. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera of the family Sciurid[ae]. 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. Note: 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 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 ({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. Barking squirrel (Zo["o]l.), the prairie dog. Federation squirrel (Zo["o]l.), the striped gopher. See Gopher, 2. Flying squirrel (Zo["o]l.). See Flying squirrel, in the Vocabulary. Java squirrel (Zo["o]l.). See Jelerang. Squirrel corn (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicantra 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 (Zo["o]l.) (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 spiklets work into the wool of sheep, and into the throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even producing death. Squirrel hake (Zo["o]l.), a common American hake ({Phycis tenuis}); -- called also white hake. Squirrel hawk (Zo["o]l.), any rough-legged hawk; especially, the California species Archibuteo ferrugineus}. Squirrel monkey. (Zo["o]l.) (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South American monkeys of the genus Calithrix. They are noted for their graceful form and agility. See Teetee. (b) A marmoset. Squirrel petaurus (Zo["o]l.), a flying phalanger of Australia. See Phalanger, Petaurist, and Flying phalanger} under Flying. Squirrel shrew (Zo["o]l.), 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.

Flying army (Mil.) a body of cavalry and infantry, kept in motion, to cover its own garrisons and to keep the enemy in continual alarm. --Farrow. Flying artillery (Mil.), artillery trained to rapid evolutions, -- the men being either mounted or trained to spring upon the guns and caissons when they change position. Flying bridge, Flying camp. See under Bridge, and Camp. Flying buttress (Arch.), a contrivance for taking up the thrust of a roof or vault which can not be supported by ordinary buttresses. It consists of a straight bar of masonry, usually sloping, carried on an arch, and a solid pier or buttress sufficient to receive the thrust. The word is generally applied only to the straight bar with supporting arch. Flying colors, flags unfurled and waving in the air; hence: To come off with flying colors, to be victorious; to succeed thoroughly in an undertaking. Flying doe (Zo["o]l.), a young female kangaroo. Flying dragon. (a) (Zo["o]l.) See Dragon, 6. (b) A meteor. See under Dragon. Flying Dutchman. (a) A fabled Dutch mariner condemned for his crimes to sail the seas till the day of judgment. (b) A spectral ship. Flying fish. (Zo["o]l.) See Flying fish, in the Vocabulary. Flying fox (Zo["o]l.), the colugo. Flying frog (Zo["o]l.), an East Indian tree frog of the genus Rhacophorus, having very large and broadly webbed feet, which serve as parachutes, and enable it to make very long leaps. Flying gurnard (Zo["o]l.), a species of gurnard of the genus Cephalacanthus or Dactylopterus, with very large pectoral fins, said to be able to fly like the flying fish, but not for so great a distance. Note: Three species are known; that of the Atlantic is Cephalacanthus volitans. Flying jib (Naut.), a sail extended outside of the standing jib, on the flying-jib boom. Flying-jib boom (Naut.), an extension of the jib boom. Flying kites (Naut.), light sails carried only in fine weather. Flying lemur. (Zo["o]l.) See Colugo. Flying level (Civil Engin.), a reconnoissance level over the course of a projected road, canal, etc. Flying lizard. (Zo["o]l.) See Dragon, n. 6. Flying machine, an apparatus for navigating the air; a form of balloon. -- Flying mouse (Zo["o]l.), the opossum mouse ({Acrobates pygm[ae]us}), of Australia. Note: It has lateral folds of skin, like the flying squirrels. -- Flying party (Mil.), a body of soldiers detailed to hover about an enemy. -- Flying phalanger (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of small marsuupials of the genera Petaurus and Belideus, of Australia and New Guinea, having lateral folds like those of the flying squirrels. The sugar squirrel ({B. sciureus}), and the ariel ({B. ariel}), are the best known; -- called also squirrel petaurus and flying squirrel. See Sugar squirrel}. -- Flying pinion, the fly of a clock. -- Flying sap (Mil.), the rapid construction of trenches (when the enemy's fire of case shot precludes the method of simple trenching), by means of gabions placed in juxtaposition and filled with earth. -- Flying shot, a shot fired at a moving object, as a bird on the wing. -- Flying spider. (Zo["o]l.) See Ballooning spider. -- Flying squid (Zo["o]l.), an oceanic squid ({Ommastrephes, or Sthenoteuthis, Bartramii}), abundant in the Gulf Stream, which is able to leap out of the water with such force that it often falls on the deck of a vessel. -- Flying squirrel (Zo["o]l.) See Flying squirrel, in the Vocabulary. -- Flying start, a start in a sailing race in which the signal is given while the vessels are under way. -- Flying torch (Mil.), a torch attached to a long staff and used for signaling at night.

Flying squirrel \Fly"ing squir"rel\ (? or ?). (Zo["o]l.) 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. Note: 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).

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