squirrel cage


noun

a cage containing a cylindrical framework that is rotated by a squirrel or other small animal running inside of it.
any situation that seems to be endlessly without goal or achievement.

Origin of squirrel cage

First recorded in 1815–25

Example sentences from the Web for squirrel cage

British Dictionary definitions for squirrel cage

squirrel cage

noun

a cage consisting of a cylindrical framework that is made to rotate by a small animal running inside the framework
a repetitive purposeless task, way of life, etc
Also called: squirrel-cage motor electrical engineering the rotor of an induction motor with a cylindrical winding having copper bars around the periphery parallel to the axis
an electric fan with many long narrow blades arranged in parallel so as to form a cylinder about an axis around which they spin