Creep"er (kr?p"?r), n.

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 C. 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 1913.

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