creep

creep (krēp)

intransitive verb crept, creep′·ing

to move along with the body close to the ground, as on hands and knees
to move slowly, stealthily, timidly, or furtively
to come on gradually and almost unnoticed: often with up
to cringe; fawn
to grow along the ground or a wall, as some plants
to slip slightly out of position
☆ to change in shape as the result of constant stress, temperature, etc.: said of materials, metals, etc.

Etymology: ME crepen < OE creopan, to creep, lit., go bent down; akin to Swed krypa < IE base *ger-: see cradle

noun

the act of creeping
a creeping movement
the gradual deformation of a material, esp. a metal or alloy, due to constant stress, high temperature, etc.
☆ Slang a person regarded as very annoying, disgusting, etc.
Geol. the slow, almost imperceptible movement of soil and loose rock down a slope

make one's flesh creep

or make one's skin creep

to give one a feeling of fear, repugnance, etc.

the creeps

Informal a feeling of fear, repugnance, etc.

crawl, slither, writhe, worm along, sneak, steal, slink, edge; see also crawl 1, sneak. See syn. study at crawl.

Object

thistle: Download PDF file on the effect of mowing on creeping thistle.
buttercup: Deep plowing may kill plants buried below 15 cm but creeping buttercup can survive shallow burial.
bentgrass: Low growing, prostrate species such as creeping bentgrass tend to form more thatch than upright species.
rhizome: Wood Sorrel is a most interesting plant, which rises from slender creeping rhizomes.
fescue: The ley can be grazed intensively throughout the year and the creeping red fescue has excellent repairing qualities for the heavy users.
barrage: The ' creeping barrage ' tactic meant that the infantry advanced closely behind a cleverly orchestrated artillery barrage.

Preposition: into

transcription: Any errors that have crept into the transcription are the fault of the present publisher.

Adjective complement

perennial: Ginger, which is used in a vast array of sweet and savory dishes around the world, is a tender, creeping perennial.
near: As the dawn sky crept nearer, I decided to have a look at that bright thing in the low southern sky - oh!

Modifying Another Word

stealthily: No more, he swore, would he stealthily creep, Sheep in hand, in the dark, o'er the college wall!
silently: His feet, so soft, his shoes are made of leaves, silently creeping through the forest.
upwards: We also noted the age profile of backpackers was creeping upwards.
slowly: Mr Tompkins allowed a satisfied, calm smile to creep slowly across his face.
cautiously: Arriving at the entrance of the alley, he paused momentarily, then cautiously crept down it.
quietly: At night I'd hear your gentle paws Quietly creep out of the back room into ours.

Followed by an intransitive particle

up: In 2003 sales were creeping up to the £ 0.5 million mark.
along: All is well, we are creeping along nicely.
through: Hope he is not too traumatized by the experience - we all let the odd mistake creep through.
around: And you then creep around in your shoes to get rid of the cramp!

Particle object:

stair: I creep down the stairs, still laboring under the delusion that I can put off the breakfast ordeal until a more reasonable hour.

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