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Webster 1913 Edition


Creeper

Creep′er

(krēp′ẽr)
,
Noun.
1.
One who, or that which, creeps; any creeping thing.
Standing waters are most unwholesome, . . . full of mites,
creepers
; slimy, muddy, unclean.
Burton.
2.
(Bot.)
A plant that clings by rootlets, or by tendrils, to the ground, or to trees, etc.;
as, the Virginia
creeper
(
Ampelopsis quinquefolia
)
.
3.
(Zool.)
A small bird of the genus
Certhia
, allied to the wrens. The brown or common European creeper is
Certhia familiaris
, a variety of which (var.
Americana
) inhabits America; – called also
tree creeper
and
creeptree
. The American black and white creeper is
Mniotilta varia
.
4.
A kind of patten mounted on short pieces of iron instead of rings; also, a fixture with iron points worn on a shoe to prevent one from slipping.
5.
pl.
A spurlike device strapped to the boot, which enables one to climb a tree or pole; – called often
telegraph creepers
.
6.
A small, low iron, or dog, between the andirons.
7.
pl.
An instrument with iron hooks or claws for dragging at the bottom of a well, or any other body of water, and bringing up what may lie there.
8.
Any device for causing material to move steadily from one part of a machine to another, as an apron in a carding machine, or an inner spiral in a grain screen.
9.
pl.
(Arch.)
Crockets. See
Crocket
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Creeper

CREEPER

,
Noun.
1.
One who creeps; that which creeps; a reptile; also, a creeping plant, which moves along the surface of the earth or attaches itself to some other body, as ivy.
2.
An iron used to slide along the grate in kitchens.
3.
A kind of pattern or clog worn by women.
4.
Creeper or creepers, an instrument of iron with hooks or claws, for drawing up things from the bottom of a well, river or harbor.
5.
A genus of birds, the Certhia, or ox-eye, of many species. These birds run along the body or branch of a tree, and when they observe a person near, they run to the side opposite, so as to keep out of sight.