释义 |
creep·er \-pə(r)\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English crepere, from Old English crēopere, from crēopan to creep + -ere -er — more at creep 1. : one that creeps; especially : an animal (as an insect or reptile) having a creeping gait or locomotion 2. a. archaic : a servile opportunist b. obsolete : a reporter of odd bits for newspapers : a free-lance hack writer 3. : any plant that creeps: as a. : hedge bindweed b. : wild cucumber c c. : trumpet creeper d. : virginia creeper 4. : any of various rather small birds that creep or clamber over trees and bushes searching for insects: as a. : any member of the family Certhiidae b. : any of several American warblers — see honeycreeper, tree creeper, wall creeper 5. : any of various tools or implements designed to assist a man, animal, or machine to advance or climb: as a. : a fixture with iron points worn on the shoe to prevent slipping (as on ice) — usually used in plural b. : climbing iron — usually used in plural c. : climber 2b 6. : grapnel 7. : a device for supplying or moving material in a steady flow: as a. : an endless belt or chain conveyor b. : a spiral or screw conveyor (as for grain) 8. creepers plural : crockets 9. a. : a genetic anomaly of the domestic fowl marked by shortening and thickening of the long bones in the heterozygote and completely lethal when homozygous — compare achondroplasia b. or creeper fowl : an individual exhibiting this anomaly 10. : a garment similar to a romper and suitable for wear by children while creeping — usually used in plural; compare crawler 11. : a small frame or platform mounted on casters, used for supporting the knees when scrubbing floors or the body when working under an automobile 12. cricket : a bowled ball that rolls along the ground after pitching |