Creep-mouse. World English Historical Dictionary

Creep-mouse. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1893, rev. 2025. Creep-mouse

[f. stem of CREEP v. + MOUSE.]

1

  A.  sb.

2

  † 1.  A creeping mouse: a term of endearment.

3

1540.  Palsgrave, trans. Fullonius’ Acolastus, R ij a. I con the thank my lyttell sparowe, or my pretye crepemous.

4

  2.  A nursery play with a child.

5

1689.  J. Carlile, Fortune-hunters, 25. Not so old but I can play at creep Mouse yet; creep, Mouse, creep, catch her.

6

  B.  adj. [Cf. break-neck.] That creeps like a mouse so as to escape notice; furtive, timid, shy.

7

1766.  Goody Two-Shoes (1882), 58. Not seeing such a little creep-mouse Girl as Two-Shoes.

8

1814.  Jane Austen, Mansf. Park (1816), I. xv. 304. You may be as creepmouse as you like, but we must have you to look at.

9

1860.  Emerson, Cond. Life, Behavior, Wks. (Bohn), II. 387. Here are creep-mouse manners, and thievish manners.

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