from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Grunt \Grunt\ (gr[u^]nt), n.
1. A deep, guttural sound, as of a hog.
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2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of American food
fishes, of the genus {Haemulon}, allied to the snappers,
as, the black grunt ({Haemulon Plumieri}), and the
redmouth grunt ({Haemulon aurolineatus}), of the Southern
United States; -- also applied to allied species of the
genera {Pomadasys}, {Orthopristis}, and {Pristopoma}.
Called also {pigfish}, {squirrel fish}, and {grunter}; --
so called from the noise it makes when taken.
[1913 Webster]
3. A U. S. infantryman; -- used especially of those fighting
in the war in Vietnam. [slang]
[PJC]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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}.
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2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work
with the large cylinder.
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{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.
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