creeper Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun any plant (as ivy or periwinkle) that grows by creeping
noun a person who crawls or creeps along the ground
crawler.
noun any of various small insectivorous birds of the northern hemisphere that climb up a tree trunk supporting themselves on stiff tail feathers and their feet
tree creeper.

One who, or that which, creeps; any creeping thing.
Standing waters are most unwholesome, . . . full of mites,creepers; slimy, muddy, unclean. Burton.
(Bot.) A plant that clings by rootlets, or by tendrils, to the ground, or to trees, etc.; as, the Virginia creeper (Ampelopsis quinquefolia).
(Zoöl.) 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.
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.
pl. A spurlike device strapped to the boot, which enables one to climb a tree or pole; -- called often telegraph creepers.
A small, low iron, or dog, between the andirons.
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.
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.
pl. (Arch.) Crockets. See Crocket.